Chili cook-off chance to see who makes the best chili in Mt. Vernon

Inaugural event at the MARC will also feature a dessert auction, entertainment
The Mt. Vernon Community Betterment Council will host the inaugural Community Betterment Chili Cook-off at the MARC on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. Twenty-two businesses, churches and individuals are entering their homemade chili into the competition.
Marsha Jones, who is co-chairing the event, said those who attend the cook-off will get to vote on who has the best chili.
“Our judges will be the patrons that come out and pay their $10,” she said. “They get a little chili bean with their paid entry and their wrist band, and they will go around and sample the chili … and select from the 22 which one is their favorite.” Jones added that, in addition to sampling all of the chili, attendees can also eat all of the chili they want.
Attendees will vote on the chili by placing their bean into a container marked with the name of the group or person whose chili is their favorite, and Scott Sifferman, who is judging the event, will count the beans in each container at the end of the evening. There will be cash prizes for the chili that comes in first, second and third; the first-place winner gets $250, second place gets $150 and third place gets $100.
In addition to the cash prizes, there will be trophies for winners in four categories: the most unique chili, the most fun booth, the most enthusiastic group and the best costume. Sifferman, Jones said, will also judge those categories.
In addition to the chili, there will also be a dessert auction, with Jason Lacey, of the Mt. Vernon Police Department, acting as auctioneer.
“That should be pretty fun,” Jones said. “We have several people and businesses that are donating their baked goods: pies, cakes, cookies (and other) desserts (for the auction).”
The evening will also feature some local live entertainment.
“During the dinner, we will have the Mt. Vernon Improv from the high school; (they’ll) do a little skit for us,” Jones said. “And after the dessert auction, we hope to have the skateboarders do a little demo for us. Hopefully, it won’t be too dark.”
 Jones said several of those who are entering chili into the cook-off are getting into the spirit of the competition.
“It’s my understanding some of the groups are buying T-shirts with their names on them and aprons,” she said. “They’re really getting into it. We’re thrilled.”
Admission to the chili cook-off is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-12, and children under five get in for free. For more information, visit the Community Betterment Chili Cook-off page on Facebook.