The ninth annual Arkansas State Chili Championship will be held Saturday, April 12, at The Barn in Holiday Island. Chili cooks from around the country will compete for $3,000 in prize money in four categories: Red Chili, Green Chili, Homestyle and People’s Choice.

The winners will be invited to compete in the World Chili Championship Cookoff in September, where the Red Chili Champion wins $15,000.

Spectators at the Arkansas State Chili Cookoff can taste as much chili as they want and vote for their favorite. The chili cook with the most votes is crowned the People’s Choice Champion.

This event is sanctioned by the International Chili Society and the proceeds benefit Grandma’s House, a Children’s Advocacy Center. In the past eight years, this event has raised more than $35,000 for local charities. The admission fee to the event is $8 for adults, free for children 12 and under. The public tasting is from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Anyone with questions or who is interested in competing can contact Steve at 845-235-3073 or chiliskf@gmail.com.