Waterworks Visual Arts Center will hold its seventh annual Big Chili Cook-off on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 6:30-11 p.m. at the F&M Trolley Barn.

This year’s cook-off boasts the most recipes and cooks the event has ever seen. Attendees will devour more than 15 different kinds of chili, fixings, drinks and desserts.

“The Big Chili Cook-off might be tradition around here, but it’s also what helps Waterworks continue to exist. Budget cuts and constraints, as well as the economy in general have hit just about everyone, including us. We rely on the funds we raise through these events to continue meeting our mission to provide diverse opportunities in the arts for all people through exhibitions, education, and outreach,” said Traci Williams, board chair of the Waterworks Visual Arts Center and owner of Crescent Construction.

After the chili has been consumed, attendees then vote to decide who takes home the Big Chili trophy, as well as bragging rights for the whole year. The mechanical bull is back this year with a riding contest and a special riding challenge.

“Be a part of the legend. Be a part of the tradition. Be a part of the fun! But most importantly, be a part of what makes Waterworks the great organization it is,” said Williams. “So, corral your friends and come dance, eat and have an entertaining evening with great food, good friends and lots of fun!”

Cooking chili for the chuck wagon this year is: Henry Alexander – The Heritage Room; Roy Bentley – Team Bentley; Donny Clement – Salisbury Motor Company; Andrew DeGood/Chase Reynolds – Bread Riot; B.R. Fox – Salisbury Fire Department; Carrie Adams and Sheila Igo – Greystone Salon & Spa; Keyth Kahrs – Rail Walk Studios & Gallery; Lee Cunningham and Brad Durham – The Lettered Lily; Laura and Bill Shaffer – First United Methodist Church –United Methodist Women/Eve Circle; Chris Foote – Longhorn Steakhouse; Mike Johnson – Phillips Air Care; Mark and Mercy Lyerly – Team Lyerly; Matt Trexler – Creative Gourmet; Brittany and John Wear – Salisbury Academy; Nathan Valentine – Rowan Helping Ministries; and Rachel Wilson and Drew Griffith – Go Burrito.

The 2015 Big Chili Cook-off is sponsored by Cloninger Ford-Toyota-Scion, Salisbury Post, United Beverages of North Carolina, Crescent Construction Services, Freirich Foods, KMD Construction, Brent Parks, CPA, Central Piedmont Builders, First Bank, Fisher Construction Company/Fisher Realty, The Lettered Lily, Susan and Robert Whitaker, Missie and Greg Alcorn, Cheerwine, Sara and Bob Cook, Lynn and Fred Dula, Bethany and Don Fortner, Greystone Salon & Spa, Griffin Marketing Group, Karen Hobson, K-Dee’s Jewelers, Kluttz Reamer Law Firm, Marna and Charles Steinman, Lynn and Paul Weisler, Nancy and Tim Wyrick, Yang Family Dentistry; and the Waterworks Visionaries: F&M Bank, Susan and Edward Norvell, Gwin and Matt Barr, Blake and Linn Evans, Sarah Kellogg, Barbara and David Setzer, Barb and Cliff Sorel, and Traci and Brad Williams.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.waterworks.org, by calling 704-636-1882, or by dropping by the Waterworks Visual Arts Center during regular gallery hours. All proceeds from this event support Waterworks’ education and outreach programs. Tickets available to those ages 21 and up only.