Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The 6th Annual Charity Chili Cook-Off is set for Saturday, February 24th from 1-5 pm at El Rio BBQ Bar in Paso Ancho. Jim Sullivan will chair this year's "All you can eat" chili feast, featuring recipes from some 16 popular PV area bar restaurants and sponsors - all competing for trophies and bragging rights.

There will be two categories of chili judging - one by popular vote from attendees and one by professional judges. We still have space available for a couple more entries. Anyone interested in participating by making their own 5 gallons of chili, please contact Donna Wong at parosgreece(at)yahoo.com.

Tickets to the Chili Cook-Off cost just $250 pesos per person. In addition to all of that chili, an order of El Rio's famous smoked riblets and an agua fresca are also included. Regular El Rio menu items will also be available for purchase. Entertainment will be provided by several cookin' musical groups, including The Texas Embassy Blues Band and Mikki Prost.

Emcees Pearl Burrus and Vera Carp are two of the 22 zany characters from Greater Tuna, a satirical comedy about small towns, small minds and big hearts, now playing at Incanto in Puerto Vallarta. All 22 characters are portrayed by two men, Tracy Parks and Ron Spencer. There are 42 lightning fast costume changes in the show which will keep you laughing from start to finish.

Two bottles of Patron Tequila will be raffled off. Bring a non-perishable food item for one free raffle ticket. 1 ticket per donated item. Food will be distributed to those in need.

All proceeds from the cook-off go to local charities and community projects, including:

• Estancia Sabrina Projecto Busca un Amigo – Day care center for children with disabilities

• DIF New Life Home for Boys – Help for young boys who have had a troubled past

• Scholarships to play Torpedos American Football - This year one boys was awarded a full scholarship to Monterrey Institute of Technology to play football.

• DIF - A Mexican public institution of sociaassistance that focuses on strengthening and developing the welfare of the Mexican families.

• Torpedos American Football A.C. – Pop Warner youth football for boys and girls ages 7 to 17. Donations are made for equipment.

• Jay Sadler Community Relations Projects A.C. – In 2017 30 projects were completed; in 2016 18 projects; during the past 5 years, 100.

Tickets to the Chili Cook-off can be purchased at the door or in advance from any of the event's sponsors: Nacho Daddy, Captain Don's, Casa Anita, DZ Route 66, Escondida Sports Bar, Kelly's Pour Favor, Luke's Bar, Murphy's Irish Pub, Lighthouse Specialty Foods, El Torito Sports Bar, 104.3 Radio Station, Torpedos American Football and Navy League/R.I.S.E.

Doors open at 1:00 pm. Chili will be served from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and voting will run from 1:00-3:00 pm. Confirmed Professional Chili Judges include: Gary Beck, Paul Mayer, Matt McCue and Jim Lee.

For more information, contact Dennis Rike of the Jay Sadler Project at dennis2rike(at)hotmail.com.

El Rio BBQ Bar is located in Paso Ancho, in a beautiful setting alongside the Cuale River, less than ten minutes from the Libramiento. (Click HERE to see map.) Bus route #4 (R04) to Paso Ancho or Paso de Guayabo drops you right at the gate. Ask the driver if he's heading to Paso Ancho if you have any doubt. For more information, call El RIO BBQ Bar at 322-222-2510.

Driving Directions: from the south or El Centro/Old Town, take the Libramiento through the small tunnel, then turn right at the signal just past the bridge. From the north, turn left at the signal after the large tunnel and just before the bridge. Free parking will be available.