Chili Cook-Off 2014
The 36th annual Mexican National Chili Cook will be held February 14, 15 and 16. Gates open daily at 11:00 am at the Tobolandia Water Park Grounds located on the carretera and libramiento from Ajijic to Chapala.
There will be the usual culinary competitions, plus a full day of stage shows, food, drink and shopping market stalls of more than 100 vendors offerineg assorted goods and services.
The daring Voladores de Papantla are booked as the main entertainment attraction at the Chili Cook-Off. Performances of the ancient Mesoamerican pole flying ritual will be offered several times each day throughout the February 14, 15, 16 event. The costumed flyers do a dance around a towering wooden pole before climbing up to its top, tying long ropes around their ankles and launching themselves head first towards the ground.
Local horsemen and their dancing mounts and Ajijic’s Ballet Folklorico Xicantzi appear on Saturday and Sunday.
Talented Mexican singer, Lupita Jimenez, wll appear on stage Sunday, February 16 for the grand finale.
After final program juggling, Margarita mixing is featured in the Friday slot with a second Margarita round follows on Saturday and a Salsa competition returns on Sunday.
Winners are determined by the People’s Choice voting system.
A variety of live dance and musical acts will keep the good times rolling throughout the week-end.
The traditional Cook-Off parade is set for Saturday starting from Ajijic’s Seis Esquinas (Six Corners) intersection at 10:00 am and meandering towards Tobolandia in time for the 11:00 am official ribbon cutting ceremony.
Admission to the Chili Cook-Off is a modest 2o pesos and entry to the secure inside parking lot area costs an extra 10 pesos. Golf cart transport will be available at the gate.
Chili Cook-Off proceeds are split up to support seven worthy charitable causes. Learn more about them at www.mexicannationalchilicookoff.com
The web site also offers other pertinent information inlcluding daily programs and details to register for a few remaining spots in the contestant line up.
For my money the Voladores de Papantla are worth the price of admission alone.
See you there!