By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
CLAREMONT, N.H. — Two hundred gallons of chili.
No, that is not a typo … and the editor is in the clear. That’s just how much will be on-hand for the 27th annual Fall Festival and Chili Cook-Off on October 5.
The Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce and the Claremont Parks and Recreation Department are teaming up again to put on an event that is expected to draw more than 1,000 people from the city and beyond. It is free to the public to show up, and a nominal fee to try samples from about 20 different types of chili. They’ll also be able to vote for their favorite one, and be able to crown a champion of the annual culinary cook-off.
“It is always the first Saturday in October and will take place on the Visitor Center Green,” said Chamber Executive Director Elyse Crossman. “The green will be packed with vendors, which includes businesses and nonprofits sharing information about their companies, and small artisans and crafters and food vendors.”
Crossman said they certainly don’t want the family recipe to be disclosed, as those are cherished and often secret. But those who make chili for the festival are asked to disclose the ingredients and the heat level.
“We want that displayed for folks sampling, so if someone has a little sensitivity has that information ahead of time,” Crossman said.
The chili cook-off will take place in a big white tent on the premises. Crossman suggests each participant bring along 10 gallons of chili, which she admits sounds insane, but is what they found is needed to provide enough samples.
If it is a nice day, there could be north of 1,500 people gathering for the festivities. Even a rainy day will bring in hundreds, so this is one of the bigger events that the city holds throughout the fall.
The event, which is also sponsored by Claremont Savings Bank, runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Visitor Center Green, with chili samples going until about 2:15 p.m. Prizes will be given at the end of the day, so be sure to come grab a bite to eat and cast a vote for the best chili in the city.
To enter the chili cook-off or find more information, log onto greaterclaremontnh.org.
