Connoisseurs of chili, and lovers of Clermont County parks will be pleased to know Chilo Lock #34 Park and Museum Center will be playing host to the County’s first Chilo Chili Cook-Off and Fall Festival, sponsored by Clermont County Park District, in order to raise funds for their 2017 Naturalists Programs.

According to Jana Marshall, a Naturalist with Clermont County Park District, “Last year, we provided nature-based learning to over 5,000 students and adults.”

Saturday, October 15th from 11:30am to 3:30pm, ticket holders can taste a variety of chilis prepared by local businesses such as Felicity’s Feed Mill, Uncle T’s Restaurant (Owensville), Uncle T’s Lakeside Restaurant (Sardinia), Fatboy’s Dream Floating Restaurant (Felicity), Ryan’s Run Campground (Felicity), Chilo Dairy Bar, Grassy Run Historical Arts Committee, Green Kayak Market & Eatery of New Richmond, Cedar Fishing Lake (Loveland), 50 West Brewery (Cincinnati), and Old Firehouse Brewery (Williamsburg).

Local craft beer will be for sale courtesy of 50 West Brewery Company located on Wooster Pike (the US 50 of their name).

Advance tickets for the event are available at Batavia’s Pattison Park, Chilo Lock #34 Park, Chilo Dairy Bar, or by contacting Clermont County Park District directly. Advance tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the event for $8.

According to Marshall, each ticket holder, regardless of age, “will receive three voting tickets, a tasting spoon, and a goodie bag,” and, “be permitted to taste all of the chilis at each booth and vote for their favorite using their voting tickets.” All votes must be cast by 2:45pm. First through third prizes will be given in the People’s Choice category.

Other activities during the festival will include Face Painting by Lisa, the Leonard D. Gibson Memorial Scholarship Fund’s Vintage Photo Booth, cornhole, Pumpkin Painting and decorating, Chilo Lock #34 River Museum Tours, and live music by Russell Up Some Grub String Band of Batavia.

In addition to the People’s Choice competition, there will be blindly-judged awards as well, with trophies for Best Heat, Most Interesting Chili and Best Themed Chili Booth. Judged awards will rate taste, aroma, consistency, appearance and heat (spiciness) on a ten-point scale.

Clermont County Park District Naturalists Programs are available to schools, scout groups, homeschoolers and the public in outreach programs like summer camps. Such programs, says Marshall, “connect children to nature through hands-on learning and environmental education opportunities.”

Chilo Lock #34 Park Visitor Center and Museum houses three floors of exhibits and interactive displays focusing on the history of the Ohio River and locks and dams. The park is 39 acres, 1.5 of it wetlands. Adjacent to Crooked Run Nature Preserve, it is located at 521 County Park Road in Chilo, Ohio, off US 52.

Follow this event on Facebook at bit.ly/2dncShm, or call 513-240-2615.