Oilman’s Chili Cook-Off on Thursday

Thousands will flock to the World’s Richest Acre on Thursday to feast on about two tons of homemade chili and raise money for a worthy cause.

Last year between 3,000 and 4,000 people came, ate and voted for their favorites in the East Texas Oilman’s Chili Cook-Off. Proceeds benefit the Kilgore Community Crisis Center and hundreds of area women and children who desperately need its services throughout the year.

Eugene Davis, Crisis Center executive director, said 70 teams have signed up to cook.

“We think that’s great considering the economy,” Davis said. Eighty-three teams cooked last year.

The gates will open “9:30-ish” and sampling begins around 11. Awards will be announce at 12:30.

Each team begins with at least 50 pounds of chili meat — and every bit of chili is spooned out to the public for sampling and the chance to win the coveted People’s Choice award. The teams also compete before a table of 30 or so judges for trophies and braggin’ rights.

Chilis are cooked from scratch, on site, on Thursday morning and submitted to the judges at 10:30 a.m. The public starts sampling about 30 minutes later.

Traffic on Commerce, between Main and Sabine, will be rerouted beginning Wednesday morning and only chili cooking teams will be allowed in the area to set up their booths.

The chili area will be closed to the public on Wednesday night.

“If you’re not part of a company cook team or haven’t gotten a personal invitation from one of the teams, you’re not going to get into the gated area,” Davis said.

No wristbands will be sold at the gate on Wednesday night, but they will be available Thursday at the two entrances to the cook-off for $5 per person.

The wristband nets the buyer a chance to cast five votes for the People’s Choice award. Three places — first, second and third — will be awarded this year, along with trophies for the top five judged chilis and three awards for showmanship.

Drinks are extra and sold exclusively by the Crisis Center, so come early and drink a lot.