Brand New Chili Cook-Off Promises Fun for the Whole Family

SAN ANGELO, TX-- When you see the Chili Appreciation Society International logo next to a chili cook-off, you know it will be a good event.

The inaugural San Angelo Patriot Guard Riders Chili Cook-Off, which has been approved and sanctioned CASI, will be no different when it takes place March 10 and 11.

CASI sanctions cook-offs across the nation, giving points to competitors. Those points are totaled up and a select few earn enough points to go to the prestigious Original Terlingua Frank X. Tolbert-Wick Fowler Memorial Championship Chili Cook-Off which is dubbed the "granddaddy" of chili cook-offs worldwide.

"It's going to be a community-based event," said Rosey Velez who's been coordinating the event. "We're raising money for the Patriot Guard Riders as well as the Emergency Corps and a new non-profit group called Adopt a Cop.

"Adopt a Cop is a concept that works in other states and cities that a group of citizens wanted to bring to San Angelo. The purpose for the non-profit is to be able to get safety equipment to officers in a timely manner. Most municipalities have bidding systems that go off of a retail amount."

The way that works is if an order for equipment is two or three-thousand dollars, it will go out for a bid and can't be purchased directly. That means there is usually a delay that can last up to three years before the equipment gets into the hands of an officer.

Aside from the chili, there will be plenty offered at El Paseo de Santa Angela during the two-day event, including a motorcycle show on Saturday March 10.

"Retro Gaming is going to have full-sized arcade games out," Velez said. "Everyone gets to play for free. SCI-co Comic Books is supposed to come out with some free comic books for kids. We have a bunch of vendors that are coming out."

The event kicks off on Sat., March 10, at 9 a.m. and will conclude the following day at 5 p.m.

For more information call 325-374-1013 or [email protected]