Chili Cook-Off & Monster Truck Show to be held at SWFL Military Museum
Do you have a tasty chili recipe or just want to sample some?
The Southwest Florida Military Museum Library will hold an inaugural Chili Cook- Off & Monster Truck Show from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 24, at the museum.
The event will benefit Wolfhounds Legacy Corp and SWFL Military Museum.
Missi Lastra, director of the museum, said they are separating the cookoff competition into amateurs and professionals.
It is $25 to register a chili submission and can be done by contacting Denise Wood at events@veterans-foundation.org.
The chili will be judged by participating restaurants.
Lastra said all ages are invited to attend the event, as there will be something fun for the entire family.
In addition to the cookoff there will be balloon making, face painting, Hula Hoop contest, cornhole tournament, food trucks and music by Killa-watts and Hillbilly Ryezin.
“There is no cost to attend, but if you want to try the chili, buy from the food trucks, or have beverages, you have to buy tickets,” she said.
In addition, monster trucks from Savage 4×4 will be on display during the event.
“We are going to have monster trucks blocking off the parking lot,” she said, adding that they want the event to be family friendly, so there will be no revving of engines.
Money raised will be split equally between the SWFL Military Museum & Library and the Wolfhounds Legacy Corp.
Wolfhounds Legacy Corp, which also serves veterans, rescues dogs from kill shelters and natural disaster areas, and matches them with a veteran with PTSD.
“The veteran and dog train together through the program,” Lastra said. “They have two classes in two years. It takes about nine months. They have provided 31 service dogs and 27 of those dogs went to veterans. It’s an organization that we use here as a resource for veterans in need who suffer from PTSD,” Lastra said.
The SWFL Military Museum provides programs and on-site services for veterans, while preserving the nation’s military history while educating the community.
The event is being hosted by AMVETS Post 65.
The Southwest Florida Military Museum Library is at 4820 Leonard Street.