Fall leaves, pumpkins, cool air and chili.

It’s time, once again, for the annual Rotary Broadway Bash Chili Cook-off. Come join us for some “chili-tasting fun” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on the bluff across from the Natchez Grand Hotel. Purchase a chili tasting kit for just $5 to sample all the great chili recipes from local businesses, organizations and friends. If you have one or more favorite chili recipes, you can purchase as multiple people’s choice ballots for $1 each in order to cast extra votes to help your favorite recipe win.

In addition to delicious chili, we will have a children’s area with a blow up slide. We will raffle a Millennium deer stand and have a silent auction with many wonderful items donated by local businesses and artists.

Come quench your thirst for craft beer. Buy an armband for $5 to try the delicious innovations of local makers of craft beer. Last but not least, order up a homemade root beer float.

And guess what? It’s not too late to sign up your chili- cooking team, become a sponsor or donate a silent auction item. Please contact Doug Wimberly at 601-660-4671 for more information.

There will be a “best decorated booth” award for the most creative theme and decorated booth for entrants.

Most importantly, bring your cash or checkbook to support a fantastic cause — The Natchez Children’s Home Services. The Children’s Home provides many crucial services for children and their families in this area. Included among the services provided are:

4Foster Families for Children.

4Individual, Group and Family Counseling.

4ABCs Pre-school Learning Center.

4International Mission Trip Opportunities to Cuba and Peru.

4Thrift Shop.

4Advocacy and Education for at-risk children of all ages and their families.

4Children’s Advocacy Center-a safe, friendly environment for children victims to tell their story.

The Chili Cook-Off is now an annual event that Rotary holds for the Natchez Children’s Home Services. Some other community organizations that the Natchez Rotary Club supports are Catholic Charities, Children’s Christmas Tree Fund, Humane Society, Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, Stewpot and the Pleasant Acre Day School.

Some community development projects are Natchez Literary Festival, Natchez Festival of Music, Natchez Little Theatre, Friends of the Library, Leadership Natchez, Community Alliance and the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce.

Rotary provides scholarships and supports other youth services.

Please come out and support our efforts to raise needed money for the Natchez Children’s Home and its wonderful programs. Get your taste buds and your wallet ready. See you Saturday.

 

Sarah Carter Smith is a member of the Rotary Club of Natchez.