Gatlinburg, TN, the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, kicks off its 4 month long Winterfest season on Wednesday, November 8, 2006 with its 17^th annual Chili Cookoff, held at the Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza on River Road in downtown Gatlinburg.  For just $7.00, you may sample all of the delicious chili you care to have from the 20 vendors on hand to tease your taste buds.  Featuring chili from mild to wild, you don’t want to miss this tasty event. 

 
Among this year’s participants hoping to win your vote for best taste, best booth presentation, best apron design, and most unique chili name are:

Americana Inn at the Gazebo, Brass Lantern Restaurant, Bullfish Grill, Bushido Security, Cherokee Grill, Citizens National Bank, Hard Rock Café, Gatlinburg Center Convention Operations, Gatlinburg Fire Dept., Gatlinburg Police Dept., Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Bar, Fox & Parrot Tavern, LaCarreta’s, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, TGI Fridays, and Westgate Resorts.

 
While eating your way from booth to booth, you’ll be entertained by three musical groups that will get you dancing in the streets!  First, The Moonshine Boys will kickoff the event at 4:00 p.m.  Then, back by popular demand, enjoy The Beat Daddys with their southern rockin’ blues and soulful attitude.  Plus, the Marvellettes return this year to sing your pop soul favorites, such as “Please Mr. Postman.”

 
Later in the evening, the Winterfest Fireworks Celebration, sponsored by Americana Inn at the Gazebo and the Americana Inn on the Parkway, will wow you.  You’ll also be right there to see the flipping of the switch, as all of Gatlinburg lights up with millions of Winterfest lights.

 
Plan to head on down for food & fun to the Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2006.  Proceeds will benefit the PTA of Gatlinburg’s local elementary school, Pi Beta Phi Elementary.  For further information, you may call Gatlinburg’s Office of Special Events at 865-436-0500 or 1-800-588-1817.

 
Can’t make it in person?  Why not watch the activities live from the Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg Web Cam?  Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg has posted a web camera right at the corner of Gatlinburg’s main intersection, so you can see the fun while it happens if you can’t visit.  To view this event and other Gatlinburg special events live, go to www.mountainchalets.com/areainfo/gatlinburglive.aspx.