TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Cook-Off, Flea Market To Aid Simmons Park

Tribune file photo

Chili cooks are needed for the annual chili cook-off and flea market Feb. 21 at E.G. Simmons Park in Ruskin.

ADVERTISEMENT

By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: February 4, 2009

RUSKIN - Grab your best chili recipe and brush up on your trash talk, then head to E.G. Simmons Park for the 13th annual Chili Cook-off and Flea Market.

Hungry guests will be angling for a chance to taste some contest-worthy chili.

Friends of the County Parks will host the fundraiser Feb. 21, with all proceeds going to purchase equipment the park needs. Typically, the event brings in anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000, said John Brill, spokesman for the County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department.

"Every bit of the money goes back into the park," said Friends of the County Parks President Roy Wilcox. "It's all about helping the environment, our kids and the county's park staff."

And it's loads of fun, said Simmons Park Ranger Ed Schafter. "The chili cookers usually do some trash talking, and it's all for the park," he said.

The event has drawn as many as 17 cooks. There is space for 22, and plenty of openings are still available.

Entry in the cook-off is free. The public pays $3 to taste the recipes and vote on their favorite entry.

And there are cash prizes for the winning recipes. Cooks can win $300 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third. The best-decorated chili booth gets a trophy. The Ruskin Chamber of Commerce will donate the prize money.

Each chef must cook three gallons of chili on site, provide a list of ingredients and provide his or her own propane stove. The park provides a table and trash cans.

The flea market opens at 8 a.m. Vendors' tables will be stocked with collectibles, books, antiques, tools, fishing equipment and more. Vendor space costs $10. The park staff will rent extra tables for $3 each.

The cook-off begins at noon.

Other food, beverages and baked goods prepared and donated by campers at E.G. Simmons also will be available for sale.

To reserve a booth or enter the cook-off, call the park at (813) 671-7655.

The event has helped pay for an irrigation system, a pruning saw, picnic tables and amenities at the park, Brill said.

In addition to raising money for county parks, Friends of the County Parks also donates time and money to Special Olympics, Wilcox said.

13TH ANNUAL SIMMONS CHILI COOK-OFF

WHEN: Feb. 21

WHERE: E.G. Simmons Park

INFORMATION: To reserve a booth or enter the cook-off, call the park at (813) 671-7655.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT