Fall leaves, pumpkins, cool air and CHILI! It’s almost time, once again, for the Third Annual Rotary Broadway Bash Chili Cook-off.

Come join us for all the “chili-tasting fun” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 9 on the bluff across from 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 many people’s choice ballots for $1 each 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, a jumping gym and face painting. Purchase a $5 wristband and watch your children have a blast.

We will raffle a Skeeter Wilson Deer Stand and a silent auction that will include a signed Drew Brees football, a Redneck Adventures package, pottery, art, toys and other wonderful items donated by local businesses and artists.

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 at-risk children and their families in southwest Mississippi. Included among the services provided are:

– Individual, group and family counseling

– ABCs Pre-school Learning Center

– Thrift shop

– Advocacy and education for at-risk children of all ages and their families.

– Children’s Advocacy Center — a safe, friendly environment for child victims to tell their story

– Child abuse prevention through Darkness to Light program

– International mission trip opportunities

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 Opera Festival, Natchez Little Theatre, Friends of the Library, Leadership Natchez, Community Alliance and the Chamber of Commerce. Rotary provides scholarships and supports other youth services.

The main objective of Rotary is to identify community needs locally, nationally and overseas, and then leverage our resources to enable solutions. This is why the Natchez Rotary Club relies heavily on membership and community support to achieve its goals.

Please come out and support our efforts to raise needed money for the Natchez Children’s Home Services and its wonderful programs.

Get your taste buds ready! See you on Nov. 9.

 

Sarah Carter Smith is Rotary publicity chairwoman.