Chili Cook-off Is February 16

The 15th annual Mackinac Island Chili Cook-off and Memento Postcard Poker Rally will be held Friday, February 15, through Sunday, February 17. The weekend event also includes a winter stone skipping contest Saturday.

Residents and Island visitors will be able to join in the judging of homemade chili contest starting at noon Saturday at Village Inn Restaurant and help determine who earns the title of "Best Chili on Mackinac Island."

Those interested also can enter a favorite chili in the contest. Entry is free and the winner will receive a two-night stay for two on the Island, dinner for two at the Village Inn, a plaque, and $200.

The all-you-can-eat chili buffet is $6 per person. Children ages 12 and younger will be able to taste the chili free and vote for their choice of the "yuckiest" concoction.

The winning chef of each contest will be announced at approximately 5 p.m.

The weekend activities begin with a cross-country ski and walk memento postcard poker rally at 9 a.m. Saturday. Participants can either walk or ski to four Island locations to collect mementos with numbers on them. The numbers represent 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.

Routes take participants to Arch Rock, Fort Holmes, Fort Mackinac, and Sugar Loaf rock. "We're giving everyone fun way to ski around the Island," said Peter Dewey, general manager of the Village Inn, Following the chili contest, winter stone skipping contest is scheduled at the shore. The first challenge will be looking for stone underneath the snow and then finding open water to skip the rock over, said Mr. Dewey.

A fish fry is planned for Friday night and a pancake breakfast is set for Sunday morning. Both meals are at the Village Inn.

The weekend event is sponsored by the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau and the Village Inn Restaurant and Pontiac Lodge Hotel. To enter the chili cook-off, call Mr. Dewey at 847-3542.