Located in 
(Gatlinburg, Tenn., October 28, 2009) Are you thinking chili? As your ears, nose and toes need bundling and the sounds of the holiday season permeate the air, Gatlinburg, Tennessee is gearing up to host the 20th annual Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff on Wednesday, November 4. Heat up your winter with savory, mouth-watering homemade chili ranging from mild and delightful to wild and adventurous.
From 4-9 p.m. on November 4, Gatlinburg’s popular Downtown Parkway will be lined with up to 20 vendors serving up kettles of chili ready to sample between traffic light #6 and the Riverside Motor Lodge. The Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff will be highlighted by the seasonal debut of the spectacular all-LED Gatlinburg Winter Magic™ lights program and entertainment headlined by the return appearance of the fabulous Marvelettes.
Starting at 5 p.m., cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award. Judges also will select winners in categories that include Best Taste, Booth Presentation, Apron Design and Most Unique Chili Name. All Sauced Up is sponsoring several hot chili-eating contests during the event. Can you stand the heat?
With the purchase of a ticket, visitors will receive a spoon and a voting ballot. Tickets are $7 in advance and $8 at the gate. Kids’ tickets are only $4. Tickets are available at the Gatlinburg Welcome Centers on Hwy. 411 (Spur) and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza.
Gatlinburg Winter Magic tm is a $1.5 million custom-designed lighting display which now features all LED, energy-efficient bulbs. This one-of-a-kind lighting festival extravaganza extends along the Parkway, adjacent River Road, the triangle juncture of the two, Cherokee Orchard and Hwy. 321. Gatlinburg has converted its entire winter lights program to quarter-watt LED bulbs, replacing the 5-watt incandescent bulbs and reducing the City’s electricity cost for the program by approximately 85 percent.
A spectacular Winter Magic™ Fireworks Show will begin at dusk during the opening ceremony, sponsored by Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg, www.mountainchalets.com.
Motown’s first successful female vocal group, the Marvelettes are most notable for recording the company’s first U.S. #1 pop hit, “Please Mr. Postman,” and for setting the precedent for later Motown girl groups such as Martha and the Vandellas and The Supremes. Their hits included “Don’t Mess With Bill,” “Beechwood 4-5789,” and “Playboy,” – all are sure to entice festival-goers to take a trip around the dance floor at the Chili Cookoff.
The main stage also will feature the musical group Soulfinger, spearheading a neo-classic soul movement with original sounds.
Confirmed vendors include Citizens National Bank, Corky’s Bar-B-Q, Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Bar, Dixie Stampede, Flat Hollow Marina & Resort, Fox & Parrot Tavern, Gatlinburg Elks Lodge, Gatlinburg Fire Department, Gatlinburg Mass Transit and Parking Department, Gatlinburg Police Department, Gatlinburg Town Square, Hilton Garden Inn, Mountain Brook Village, Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg, Puckers Sports Bar & Grill, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, River Stone Resort, Shabby’s Coffee & Tea House Cafe, Sevier County Utility District, Tennessee State Bank and TGI Friday’s.
Event sponsors include A Step Above & Premier Limousine, Best Western Twin Islands, Coca-Cola, Food City, Hard Rock Cafe, Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Sprint and Star 102.1.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Pi Beta Phi Elementary School PTA. For more information, call the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce at (865) 436-4178 or 1-800-568-4748.
