Chilly weather is the perfect time for some steamin’ hot chili and some spicy competition.

Who’s going to walk away with braggin’ rights this year at the 17th Annual Chili Cook-Off?

You don’t want to miss it, so make plans to attend it on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Checotah Community Center.

The entry fee is only $25 and you could possibly walk away with one of these prizes: 1st place – $500 2nd place – $250 3rd place – $100 People’s Choice – $150 Best Table Décor 1st place – $100 Best Table Décor 2nd place – $50 A blind panel of distinguished judges will be looking for the best cooks in the county and judging will begin at 4 p.m. Then doors will open at 5 p.m. to the public.

Cost is $8 for all the chili you can eat. Kids from 7-11 years old eat for $6 and 6 years old & under eat free.

Competitors will need to bring a minimum of four quarts of chili ready to eat and be set up by 3 p.m. There will also be a live auction you won’t want to miss out on – tools, art, gift baskets, baked goods and more will be bid on, so bring your checkbook.

There will also be a Gun Raffle for a Radical Firearms AR-15 (5.56 Caliber) raffled off that evening. Tickets can be purchased at Checotah Gun & Pawn, Checotah Chamber of Commerce and Checotah Perk for $1 a ticket or $5 for six tickets. You don’t have to be present to win.

Door prizes will also be drawn for a 2-night stay at Janssen Park B&B and a kid’s door prize.

The Chili Cook-Off benefits the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery.

For more information call Iris at 405-570-3569.