The Acreage Music & Chili Cook-Off is coming to Acreage Community Park on Saturday, April 21, with more bounce houses, more music, more chili entries and more fun than ever, said organizer Robert Trepp.
The event will have a full day and wide variety of entertainment by regional and local performers on two different stages.
“We’ve got roughly half a football field of bounce houses that are free, as always,” Trepp said. “On the chili side, we’ve got more cooks than we’ve had before, and we’ve actually got cooks coming from as far away as Texas and Michigan.”
In addition to the sanctioned chili event, there is a people’s choice division with local entries including local restaurants and individuals.
“We’ve got quite few people from The Acreage who compete in the people’s choice category,” he said.
The chili cook-off is sanctioned by the International Chili Society, and attendees can buy tasting kits for $5, Trepp said. “Then you can go around and sample the cooks’ chili,” he said.
The tasting kit is in addition to a $10 admission fee for adults, $5 for children 3 to 11. The event is free for those under 3.
There will also be a car show. “We had 70 cars last year, so we’re looking for the same number if not more at this one,” Trepp said.
The RE/MAX hot air balloon will be on site, as well as a Home Depot kids’ area where children can build simple projects with kits supplied by Home Depot. Exhibitors will also be on hand with food and crafts for sale, as well as nonprofit organizations.
“It’s set up as an affordable fun day of entertainment for the whole family,” Trepp said.
Trepp welcomed Tobacco Free Florida and the Hair Cuttery as primary sponsors, and Everglades Farm Equipment as a participant for the first time.
The event will run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.acreagechilifest.com.
