Fire in the Park Chili Cook-Off to Cure

About this happenin

Smoking stockpots fill Avalon Town Park each January as teams compete in the Texas Red and Homestyle categories for a pediatric cancer charity. Fire in the Park began in 2011 as a backyard party. It now draws a few thousand people to Downtown Avalon Park and has raised substantial money for the For Kids' Sake Foundation, which funds neuroblastoma research. Judges score aroma, color, consistency, taste and aftertaste. People's Choice is decided by the public, who drop coins at whichever booth they liked best. Tasting tickets are sold ahead of time through the organizer. Gates open at 10am and chili goes to the judges at 11am. While bands play from noon to 2pm, teams serve samples until about 2:30pm. Awards come at 3pm, an hour before the day ends. The day also has a cornhole tournament, a 50/50 raffle, a Kid Zone and prizes for the best decorated booth and best dressed team.

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Where

Avalon Town Park, Downtown Avalon Park · 3651 Avalon Park East Blvd, Orlando, FL 32828