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Chili competition comes to Wild West Junction
Part of proceeds from ICS sanctioned Chili Shootout Saturday to benefit Veterans Own memorial

The Wild West Junction, located at 321 E. Route 66 in Williams, hosts an International Chili Society sanctioned Chili Shootout Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m. Clara Beard/WGCN

The Wild West Junction, located at 321 E. Route 66 in Williams, hosts an International Chili Society sanctioned Chili Shootout Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m. Clara Beard/WGCN

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Get your senses primed and ready for the tastes, sights, sounds, and smells of the Chili Shootout this Saturday at the Wild West Junction on Historic Route 66 right here in Williams.

The Chili Shootout is an International Chili Society (ICS) sanctioned event featuring first, second, and third place cash prizes for three different categories of chili; red, green, and salsa.

The cooking begins at 9:30 a.m. and the "People's Choice Chili" will be handed out to the crowd beginning at 10:30 a.m. This all-day event will also feature music from local bands and artists, shopping for those interested, and other fun entertainment and socializing opportunities.

Cooks from Flagstaff, Las Vegas, and the Phoenix areas will all be in attendance. Event organizer - and chili cook himself - Mike Fenley hopes even more locals will join in on the friendly competition.

"There's going to be a couple from Winchester Steakhouse, but we still want more locals to step up and join this ICS sanctioned cook off," said Fenley.

Paul Whitney will be the chief judge along with several other judges that will be brought in locally or from Flagstaff. Fenley said Mayor John Moore might also be a judge.

Entry fees are $35 for red chili, $25 for green chili, and $15 for salsa. First place prizes are $500 for red, $300 for green, and $100 for salsa. Second place prizes are $300 for red, $150 for green, and $75 for salsa. And third place prizes are $150 for red, $100 for green, and $50 for salsa.

"Once the competition chili has been turned in for red and green, then those can be handed out to the crowd as well," said Fenley, ensuring visitors would not go hungry.

Cooks can still sign up and register until the morning of the event, either in person before the competition starts or online at the ICS website chilicookoff.com. Fenley prefers individuals to register early to ensure a spot at the Chili Shootout and so organizers can have an accurate estimate of how many cooks will be competing. Proceeds from the Chili Shootout benefit the Williams Veteran's Memorial.

According to Fenley, newcomers are welcome because of the added benefit they have to signing up and competing against perhaps some more experienced cooks.

"First time cooks or non-members of ICS that sign up can pay a one time fee of $50 instead of $75 and they can cook all three; red, green and salsa. And it also gets them a one-year membership into the ICS," Fenley said. "We really just want to get as many cooks as we can."

For more information contact Fenley via email at mjfenley@directv.net or by telephone at (928) 600-2530. Moore and the Wild West Junction, located at 321 East Route 66, can also be contacted via email at info@wildwestjunction.com or by visiting their website at www.wildwestjunction.com.


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