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BUCHANAN —  A spicy local event will be making its annual return to downtown Buchanan next week. 

The 15th annual Chili Walk Cook-Off will take place from 5 to 6:45 p.m. Thursday, April 11 in downtown Buchanan. 

The popular event, sponsored by the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce, gives people the chance to walk around downtown Buchanan and sample the different kinds of chili especially made by local vendors and residents. The public is encouraged to participate in the sampling, and each attendee may vote for their favorite chili and team with the most spirit. 

Spoon sales will begin at 4:45 pm, and the awards presentation will start at 7:30 pm, both at Lehman’s Farmhouse.

There will be three award categories – Judges’ Choice, People’s Choice, and Spirit award. Contestants and visitors are encouraged to participate with spirit. This year’s theme is the arts to collaborate with The Tin Shop Theater. 

Each contestant will be matched up with a local business to showcase their chili and place of business. Visitors will go from spot to spot to sample and mingle. Downtown Buchanan businesses are invited to share their spaces and allow the community to get to know them better. Many businesses will offer promotional items and sales for visitors of the chili walk. 

Coming back this year will entail teaming up with Buchanan businesses, Kombi Keg SW Michigan and Sturgis Bank and Trust – Niles Banking Center. Kombi Keg SW Michigan will have a few tasty flavors of lemonade for sale, and Sturgis Bank and Trust – Niles Banking Center will sponsor the Chill Zone with music provided located at the intersection of Main and Front Street.

Teams are signing up now. Those with questions about the contest can contact Buchanan Area Chtamber’s Chili Walk Chairman Kyle Zelmer,at kzelmer@moveyourhorizon.com or by calling/texting (574) 302-7111.