Chili cook-off to spice up Greensburg Salem pre-Homecoming bonfire, festival

The Greensburg Salem community is invited to warm up in advance of the school district’s Homecoming game by sampling some locally made chili and attending a festival and bonfire on Sept. 27.

The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the gravel parking lot at the high school. The bonfire will coincide with a pep rally as members of the Homecoming Court are introduced and the marching band and cheerleaders perform, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The evening also will feature food and drink concessions, yard games, contests, music, a bouncy house and booths sponsored by school club and booster organizations.

New this year is a chili cook-off contest that has attracted versions of the spicy dish prepared by eight amateur competitors and three professionals.

“People like to eat, and chili is a pretty good food on a nice, cool fall evening,” said teacher Chris Gazze, who is co-adviser of the school’s Student Council Association.

A limited number of about 75 tickets will be sold at the event’s student council table, at $5 each, to enjoy samples of all the chili varieties and vote for a fan favorite. Judge’s Choice Awards for the best amateur and professional entry will be announced during the pep rally.

Proceeds from the pre-Homecoming event will benefit student activities sponsored by the student council and club boosters groups.

“We’re always looking for new avenues for fundraising,” Gazze said of the student council. “We want to make this event bigger and better and include more people in the community.”

The Homecoming football game will pit the the Golden Lions varsity team against visiting Mt. Pleasant Area Sept. 29 at Offutt Field.