The Barn Burnin’ Chili cook-off takes place Sunday, October 5 at Paulus Park for the first time in over five years.

The cook-off costs $20 for cooks and $3 for spectators. Spectators can get in for $2 if they bring non-perishable canned goods, which will be donated to the Saint Vincent dePaul Food Pantry at Saint Francis de Sales parish.

Cooks meet together at 10am and make the chili until 2pm. All chili must be cooked on sight and has to be made from scratch, which means the meat must be raw upon arrival.

At 2:15pm, the public tasting begins where any LZ member can come and enjoy the chili. The judging is then based on the chili’s aroma, consistency, red color, taste, and aftertaste. A panel of judges, including the mayor, will taste each chili and choose a winner. However, the event is not just about winning the contest, according to Bonnie Caputo, LZ recreation manager.

“I think the cook off will be one of those fun community events where you don’t have to be an amazing chili cook to take part. Local people can just come out for the day to enjoy the community park and the chili,” Caputo said.

The cook off is being brought back at the request of residents, and hopes to have over fifteen chili cooks and plenty of residents to help make the day a success.