LINCOLN HIGHWAY will entertain chili eaters for the third year in a row Saturday at the Clock Tower.
Courtesy Benicia Main Street
This year’s entries will be judged by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Napa, Benicia police Lt. Frank Hartig and Benicia Herald advertising sales representative Angela Marchant.
The panel will select the winners of the Greatest Bowl, Greatest Vegetarian, Greatest Individual Cook and Most Creative Challenger prizes, based on taste, appearance, aroma, consistency and creativity of the chili, said Benicia Main Street event coordinator Deborah Meyer.
Members of the public who buy tickets to the event will decide two categories: People’s Choice and Best Decorated Booth.
“The event is a friendly yet fiery competition amongst businesses, organizations and individuals to find the best-tasting chili in town,” Meyer said.
But there’s more to the event than just tasting chili, she said. Those attending will get a chance to win drawing prizes, too.
THE LOFT WINE BAR competed in last year’s cookoff and will be back this year.
Courtesy Benicia Main Street
Providing musical entertainment for the third year in a row, Lincoln Highway will play country and rockabilly music. “The crowd loves them,” Meyer said.
For the first time, those attending will get to see some country square dancing, performed by the Martinez Swingers, the Vallejo Pioneers, the Clutch Busters of Concord and the Delta Squares of Oakley.
They’ll demonstrate moves during two 15-minute performances while a caller’s patter cues them to allemande left, promenade or do-si-do.
Of course, the focus is on the food, Benicia Main Street Executive Director Nancy Martinez said.
This year’s contest has attracted entries from 14 teams: the Benicia Yacht Club Chili Monsters, Chuck Wagon Chili, Fired Up! First St. Café, Beyond Meat, Benicia Chili Heads, the Power Brokers-Twin Oaks RE, Got Plate Lunch, Rough N’ Ready, Rookies Sports Bar and Grill, The Loft Wine Bar, Jaad Ajlouny, Sprankle’s Deli, Bottom of the Fifth and Cooky Longo.
Tickets to the event are available in advance at Benicia Main Street, 90 First St., and online at BeniciaMainStreet.org. They’ll also be sold at the door.
Each adult ticket includes 20 tastes and complimentary slice of cornbread, and children will get 10 tastes and a slice of cornbread, Meyer said. Beer, wine, soft drinks and water will be sold separately, she said.
Admission is $15 for adults and $8 for children 10 and younger. Tickets sold at the door Saturday are $20 for adults and $12 for children 10 and younger.
The third annual Benicia Main Street Great Bowls of Chili Challenge is noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Benicia Clock Tower, 1189 Washington St.
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Where is the Rellick.
should be Rellik