The third annual Chill-Out event is approaching and a category has been added to the Sobeys Chili Cook-off Competition for the general community with only one person signed up so far.
The third annual Chill-Out event is approaching and a category has been added to the Sobeys Chili Cook-off Competition for the general community with only one person signed up so far.
Janine Linthorne, program and events assistant for the town, said people in the crowd mentioned their interest in participating last year, and Geralyn MacDonald, director of community development, noted the line-ups for taste-testers, leading them to decide to expand the competition.
“It was great to start out with the firefighters, and the media and the celebrities and now it’s great to expand it to the community now that we know how much everyone loves chili,” said Linthorne.
The competition will continue to involve firefighters, media representatives from The News, Pictou Advocate and East Coast FM as well as professional chefs with the community choosing the winners. Gift cards are provided to each participant in order to purchase their ingredients.
Also new to the event this year, on Jan. 14 at the New Glasgow Farmers Market, is a chance to make s’mores with a fire pit, and firefighters, on site.
Chill-Out is intended to kick off the winter carnival season in the town with communications and marketing director Kim Dickson adding that it has been well-received since its inception at Glasgow Square and continued to be popular once it moved to the market.
“I guess it makes a lot of sense too when you stop and think about it because that’s what we do as Canadians, we embrace winter and celebrate it… and have fun with it,” Dickson said.
Activities will be available for children, and adults, like a snowman-building contest, snow painting, and snowshoeing try-it session. NSCC Chef Gilles Godin will be doing an ice sculpture again this year, while musical entertainment will be provided by Albert Dunnewold and Scott MacFarlane.
The town will be offering free skates, weather permitting, at the North End Rec Centre from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and at the West Side Community Centre from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Anyone interested can check the town’s social media pages regarding ice conditions.
The event also signals the start of the winter season at the farmers market.
“The community has become accustomed to having the market as a meeting place, so this works well together. It’s a great start to the new year and to come back and see their favourite vendors,” said Dickson.
The primary producers at the market are returning, too, market manager Kristi Russell noted.
“People can expect to see BLM Meats and Little Dorset Farm for fresh meats, Bramble Hill Farm will have fresh greens, Knoydart Farm will have fresh, organic cheeses and we'll have fresh eggs. Will and Big Cove Foods will be cooking up a storm and many favourite artisans are back too!”
The activities run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with free hot chocolate and coffee on site.
Winter carnivals are planned for Jan. 21-22 at the Ward 1 Community Centre, Jan. 27-28 at the West Side Community Centre and Feb. 3-7 at the North End Recreation Centre.
