Necco candy conversation hearts, Godiva chocolates, perforated Snoopy valentines for your classmates – how sweet love is.
But Valentine’s Day is long gone, and Ithaca’s Chilifest is in the now. This Saturday, from 11:30 to “until the chili runs out”, Ithacans will wait in long lines to sample a host of local chilis.
Last year’s winners, including Moosewood, Longview, and Cayuga Medical Center (WTF?) are kicking their recipes back into high gear to defend their titles, while other champions are prepping for the return of events long since retired. This year’s award ceremony will take place at 4:00pm.
This year’s Fest in the Commons will feature the return of the hot chili-pepper eating competition as well as the mechanical bull-riding contest. And in true Ithaca fashion, the festival will now dole out reusable tasting spoons to all participants in order to minimize the amount waste generated by the event.
Whether you’re single, in an “it’s complicated”, or in a full-on romance, no amount of Valentine’s snuggling can keep you as warm as $10.00 for 11 tastings.
Original Author: Samantha Hartzband