Volunteer judges at this weekend’s 42nd annual Tri-State Open Chili Cookoff need only two qualifications. “They should be open minded and like spicy chili,” says organizer and competitor Tiffany Messer. And, to be clear, this is Texas-style chili: “It’s meat and gravy, no filler like beans,” Messer says. The cookoff, an officially sanctioned event of the Chili Appreciation Society International, begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the Rex Baxter Building on the Amarillo Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 S.E. 10th Ave.
Those wishing to serve as volunteer judges should arrive between 11:30 a.m. and noon to sign up, and slots go fast, Messer said. About 50 judges are needed for the first round; each table will include four to five judges tasting 10 to 15 chilis. More than 100 entrants are expected, which will be whittled down to about 23 for the final round. While judges can sample everything for free, attendees can also buy a $5 tasting cup for unlimited samples. Proceeds benefit Make-a-Wish of the Texas Panhandle.
Messer will compete again, using the same fine-tuned recipe that she’s used for the past five years. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” Messer says. “It depends on the judges—some like it spicier than others.”
Entrants in the CASI side of the contest are hoping to earn points to compete at the Original Terlingua International Chili Championship in November. Regional corporate teams also can compete in Amarillo for bragging rights.
This week’s other can’t-miss options:
Amarillo Tattoo Expo: 1 to 11 p.m. Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; Spark by Hilton, 2315 E. Interstate 40; weekend passes $35; info@inkmasterstattooshow.com
The Cottage: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday; continues through Jan. 18; Amarillo Little Theatre Allen Shankles Mainstage, 2019 Civic Circle; ticket prices vary; 806-355-9991
Amarillo Wranglers vs. Lone Star Brahmas: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St.; tickets $21 to $32; 806-242-4233
Brandon Trey Borup:8 p.m. Friday; Old Tascosa Taproom and Brewery, 3100 S.W. Sixth Ave.; 806-681-4050
Casey Berry: 9 p.m. Friday; Western Horseman Club, 2501 E. Interstate 40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
Logan Ellis & The Fever Dream: 9 p.m. Friday; Golden Light Cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover; 806-374-9237
Amarillo Brick Convention LEGO Fan Expo: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Amarillo Civic Center Complex North Exhibit Hall, 401 S. Buchanan St.; tickets $15 online, $20 at the door; 806-378-3096
Songwriters in the Round: 7 p.m. Saturday; Chalice Abbey, 2717 Stanley St., Suite A; $15 suggested donation; 806-576-2480
Chamber Music Amarillo’s Serenading the High Plains: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; Amarillo Botanical Gardens, 1400 Streit Drive; tickets $40; 806-376-8782
Aiden Logsdon: 9 p.m. Saturday; Golden Light Cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover; 806-374-9237
Marvin Davis and Friends: 9 p.m. Saturday; Western Horseman Club, 2501 E. Interstate 40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
Back to the ’70s Party: 10 p.m. Saturday; RR Bar, 701 S. Georgia St.; 806-342-9000
Amarillo Wranglers vs. Odessa Jackalopes: 6 p.m. Sunday; Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St.; tickets $21 to $32; 806-242-4233
Jason Eady: 8 p.m. Jan. 13; Golden Light Cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover; 806-374-9237
Movie options:
Opening Thursday: Action sequel Greenland 2: Migration, standup comedy drama Is This Thing On?, faith-based drama I Was a Stranger and ape serial killer flick Primate (Cinemark Hollywood 16, 9100 Canyon Drive, and Cinergy, 9201 Cinergy Square)
Special engagements: Bollywood film The Raja Saab (opens Friday, Cinemark Hollywood 16); Labyrinth 40th anniversary screenings (Friday through Jan. 15, Cinemark Hollywood 16); anime special feature Gundam Premiere Night (Monday through Jan. 15, Cinemark Hollywood 16)
