12th Annual Island Chili Cook Off To Heat Up Winter Fun

The 12th annual Mackinac Island Memento Chili Cook-off and Postcard Poker Rally will be held Friday, February 18, through Sunday, February 20.

The weekend begins with a cross-country ski and walk memento postcard poker rally that starts at 8 a.m. Saturday. Participants can either walk or ski to four Island locations to collect mementos with numbers on them. The numbers represent a specific playing card in a deck. The best three poker hands win a random prize. Cards can be turned in from noon to 5 p.m.

Later Saturday, starting at noon, residents and visitors of the Island are welcome to join in the judging of homemade chili at Village Inn Restaurant to see who earns the title of “Best chili on Mackinac Island.”

The entry fee for the all-you-can-eat chili buffet is $6 per person, with no charge for children ages 12 and under. Hot cocoa and lemonade will be offered, as well.

Winners of the contest will be announced at 5 p.m. People can enter chili up until 10 a.m. Saturday. Participants should make between two to four gallons of chili for the contest.

Prizes include a two-night stay on the Island, dinner for two at the Village Inn, a trophy, and a $200 cash prize.

After the chili contest, a winter stone skipping contest may be held at the shore near the Village Inn. Competition might just be trying to find a rock underneath all the snow, observed Village Inn general manager Peter Dewey.

To enter the chili cook-off, call Mr. Dewey at 847-3542.