Oct. 7 from 6:30-11 p.m.  Waterworks Visual Arts Center and F&M Trolley Barn, 123-125 East Liberty St. 

Submitted

The F&M Trolley Barn will come alive with the sweet and savory smells of chili at the 9th Annual Big Chili Cook Off on Saturday.

Thirteen volunteer cooks will be Cookin’ for Art to raise funds for the educational and outreach programs of the Waterworks Visual Arts Center and to win the coveted Big Chili Pepper Award:

Go Burrito!, Rachel Griffith and Mikey Wetzel;

Team Bentley, Roy And Beth Bentley;

Returning champions Donny Clement and Ralph Wear;

The Heritage Room, Henry and Karen Alexander;

Longhorn Steak House, Chris Foote;

Team Lyerly, Mark and Mercy Lyerly;

The Lettered Lily, Taylor Durham and Megan Ferden;

Mean Mug, Evelyn Medina;

McGill Music Studios, Frances McGill;

Salisbury Academy PSA;

Laura and Bill Shaffer;

Two-time champion Nate Valentine;

Chic Living Group, Jessica Jackson.

Enjoy a fun evening of chili-tasting, drinks, games, raffle and dancing. Chili tasting and voting starts at 6:45 p.m. Each guest will receive a bag of 15 “coins” to vote on their favorite recipe. Voting ends at 8:45 and winners are announced at 9:30 p.m.

New this year — games! Try your hand at roping and/or corn hole. Raffle tickets are 1/$10, 3/$20, 20/$100. Featured raffle items include a STIHL chainsaw, Carolina Panther tickets, and a Bucket of Booze, a selection of locally crafted beer and wine.

Waterworks relies on funds raised to continue meeting its mission to provide diverse opportunities in the arts for all people through exhibitions, education, and outreach.

Information and tickets at http://waterworks.org/specialevents/bigchilicookoff.html or 704-636-1882, or in person during regular gallery hours.