The heat is on for Lakeside’s 38th annual Chili CookOff, cranking into full steam Friday, February 26 through Sunday, February 28 at Tobolandia Water Park, located on the Chapala-Ajijic highway just west of the Libramiento intersection.
Gates open daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The three-day happening is wrapped around culinary contests between rival barmen and chefs. Friday’s schedule features the popular margarita mix-off, with potent samples to be poured out in the food court starting at noon. Chili con carne will be the dish du jour on Saturday and Sunday, with tasting going on in the same area, noon until the vats run dry. Daily champions will be determined by a People’s Choice voting system. Each first place winner will walk away with a 5,000-peso prize to be announced at the award ceremony around 4 p.m.
Other attractions drawing crowds to the fairgrounds include all-day entertainment, hourly raffle drawings, food and beverage stands and the shopper’s paradise, where dozens of vendors offer an enticing array of arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing, household goods and professional services.
The Cookoff is much more than a great place to relax and party with old friends and new acquaintances. It is ground zero for lending support to eight deserving charitable causes.
The Chili CookOff ranks as lakeside’s number one charity fund-raiser, having generated hundreds of thousands of pesos through its long history. In 2015, the event raised 303,000 pesos in proceeds, translating into 37,875 pesos for each beneficiary.
This year’s net proceeds will be split evenly between the following organizations:
Casa de Ancianos, Chapala’s Home for the Elderly, offers senior residents of limited means with 24-hour nursing care, doctor visits, nutritious meals and the attention of a dedicated staff.
Center for Family Development works to improve the quality of life for the less fortunate families around Lake Chapala. It specializes in family planning, sexual and reproductive health issues, medical consultations, and informative talks in local communities and schools. Educational seminars are directed males, as well as women and adolescents of both genders.
Cruz Roja Chapala (Chapala Red Cross) maintains an emergency medical clinic and a fleet of ambulances staffed by trained paramedics and equipped with oxygen, EKG, defibrillators, and a full array of emergency equipment. The organization responds to car accidents, natural disasters and urban rescue situations.
Lakeside School for Special Children assists children afflicted with little or no hearing abilities and those afflicted with cerebral palsy, quadriplegia, paraplegia, Down syndrome, autism, and visual impairments. In addition to alleviating their physical needs, the program provided youngsters with more than 20,000 meals last year.
Los Niños de Chapala y Ajijic helps qualifying, needy children and young adults achieve their educational potential by supporting the cost of their school tuition, books, supplies, uniforms and income supplement for special medical needs. The program has helped more than 1,000 children over the past 35 years, many who are now lawyers, doctors, accountants, engineers and scientists.
Love in Action is dedicated to caring for homeless and neglected children with shelter, food and guidance in basic life skills. They also learn English, music, dance, arts and crafts. With liberal doses of love and support, this organization makes it possible for kids to leave their traumas behind to lead joyful and successful adult lives.
Niños Incapacitados del Lago helps financially indigent children who suffer serious disabilities or life threatening illnesses and require consultations, medications, procedures and therapies. The needs of hundreds of children are met and paid for every year.
Protección Civil y Bomberos, Chapala’s Civil Protection and Fire Department, aids and protects the community in cases of fire, floods, public dangers and common emergencies. Just this past year ropes and helmets supplied by the Chili Cookoff were employed in various rescue missions.
The success of the Chili Cookoff relies on the efforts of many volunteers, the generous support of local businesses large and small and more than 5,000 people who pitch in by attending. Anyone interested in contributing as an on-site helper, contestant, or member of any of the support committees is encouraged to contact one of the board members through the website www.mexicannationalchilicookoff.com.
Dale Hoyt Palfrey