It’s that time of year again! The 8th Annual Grand Central District Association Chili Cookoff has expanded with a new name and extra attractions. In addition to the beloved chili competition, the Sunshine City Festival will feature live entertainment, arts & crafts vendors, food vendors and a chance auction on Saturday, February 23rd from 11am-4pm.

The unchanged Chili Cookoff will run from Noon-3pm, and winners will be announced in mutiple categories: Best Restaurant Chili, Best Business Chili, Best Individual Chili, Best Neighborhood Chili and People’s Choice Chili. The entries will be tasted and scored by celebrity judges, including Q105’s Scott Walker and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers players.

There is no fee to enter so prepare your best recipes! Food and non-food vendors are also welcome, especially those that highlight Old Florida and St. Petersburg living. Tasting tickets will be $15 in advance ($20 on the day of the event) and will include tastings of all the chili entries, and one (1) vote in the People’s Choice category.

Festival performers include Tampa Bay’s own American Idol Melissa McGhee, international musician/entertainer extraordinaire Steve Arvey’s Band of Steves, and Scotty Lee and The Treble Hooks among others.

The expanded arts and crafts vendors give a special will celebrate "what makes living in St. Petersburg special."

The Grand Central District Association is looking for prize donations that are fully tax deductible, so if you have a retail item, service, gift basket or gift certificate you’d like to give to the cause, vist the facebook page or website for details.

Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are also available. Call the GCDA office at (727) 828-7006 or email chilicookoff@grandcentraldistrict.org.

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