Chili cook-off part of Branson Summerfest 2003

The Summerfest event is a collaboration between the Task Force, the Downtown Branson Main Street Association and Sullivan Companies and has been created as an event to honor the nation’s first responders.

Chili cook-off team categories include amateur and first responder teams on Friday and professional and entertainers and more first responder teams on Saturday. Teams will arrive and check-in between 7 and 9 a.m., allowing time to decorate their cooking areas. Judges’ meeting begins at 9 a.m. with the official cook-off gun sounding at 10 a.m. Cook area judging will take place 1-2 p.m. and chili judging begins at 3 p.m. Winning teams will be announced prior to the evening concerts.

“Although this is not a sanctioned event by the International Chili Society, this first year is the launching ground for future cook-offs that will be sanctioned,” said Task Force Board Member Stormy Lynn Snow, committee chair for the cook-off. “We are learning as we go and want this first year to be our test run. It will be fun, yet follow the guidelines of sanctioned events. Die-hard chili cook-off fans will enjoy this event.”

To register teams must contact the Branson Veterans Task Force at 417-337-8387 or by e-mail at info@bransonveterans.com. Registration is $100 per team.

Editors Note: For additional information on Summerfest or to purchase tickets either on line or via phone, through Ozark Ticket and Travel, click here or call 1-888-493-1222.