Hot action is on the horizon, with the 36th annual Mexican National Chili Cook-Off ready to rock February 14, 15 and 16 at the Tobolandia water park grounds. Gates open daily at 11 a.m. to welcome crowds for culinary competitions and a full day of stage shows, food, drink and shopping market stalls of more than 100 vendors offering assorted goods and services.
At the heart of the event are the friendly contests between rival chefs and barmen. After final program juggling, Margarita mixing is featured in the Friday slot, the chili cook face-off doubled with a second Margarita round follows on Saturday, and Salsa competition makes its return on Sunday. Winners are determined by the People’s Choice voting system.
Headlining this year’s entertainment bill are the Voladores de Papantla, coming from Veracruz to appear all three days for multiple performances of a daring native ritual that originated in ancient Mesoamerica. The costumed fly boys do a dance around a towering wooden pole before climbing up to its top, tying long ropes around their ankles and launching themselves head first towards the ground.A variety of live dance and musical acts will keep the good times rolling throughout the weekend. The traditional cook-off parade is set for Saturday, starting from Ajijic’s Seis Esquinas intersection at 10 a.m. and meandering towards Tobolandia in time for the 11 a.m. official ribbon cutting ceremony. Look for the popular Mexican charros and their dancing horses on Saturday and Sunday, and talented vocalist Lupita Jimenez closing at Sunday’s grand finale.
Admission to the cook-off will set you back a modest 20 pesos. Entry to the secure inside parking area costs an extra 10 pesos. Golf cart transport to the center of the site will be available at the gate.
Cook-off proceeds are split up to support seven worthy charitable causes. Learn more about them at www.mexicannationalchilicookoff.com. The website also offers other pertinent information, including daily programs and details to register for a few remaining spots in the contestant line-up.