The Downtown Traverse City Association (DTCA) will host its 28th Annual Downtown Chili Cook-Off today (Saturday) from 11am until 3pm at the Park Place Hotel & Conference Center.

The event will feature area restaurants competing in eight different chili categories, including one-alarm, two-alarm, three-alarm, white, vegetarian, no bean, seafood, ethnic, and people's choice. Competing businesses will include 123 Speakeasy, Aerie Restaurant, Apache Trout Grill, Betty’s Hot Dish, Francisco’s Market, The Franklin, Minervas, Omelette Shoppe, Rare Bird Brewpub, Red Mesa Grill, Scalawags Whitefish & Chips, TC BBQ @ State Street Market, and Warehouse KiTChen + Cork. Morsels Espresso & Edibles will provide cornbread morsels, and Peace Love and Little Donuts will provide sweet treats.

Attendees can choose a sampler of eight chilies for $10, or single bowls of their favorites for $4. Pepsi products will be available for purchase; adult beverages can also be purchased through the Park Place Hotel. Tickets are not sold in advance and are only available at the door. The event is an fundraiser for the DTCA and supports events like Friday Night Live, Celebration for Young Children, the Downtown Art Walks, and holiday activities. The 2018 Downtown Chili Cook-off attracted over 1,200 attendees.