Asheville Tourists Fall Festival and Chili Cook-off October 3, 2009

TOURISTS TO HOST CHILI COOK-OFF, FALL FESTIVAL OCTOBER 3

The baseball equipment may be back in storage by October, but the change of seasons will not keep the Asheville Tourists from welcoming a crowd. On Saturday, October 3, the team will host the Asheville Tourists Chili Cook-off and Fall Festival at McCormick Field, featuring more than 30 different styles of chili, live music from three bands, and affordable fun for every member of the family.
Tickets for the Tourists Chili Cook-off and Fall Festival will go on sale, Monday, August 3, at 10 a.m. at the McCormick Field box office as well as ticketmaster.com. Cost for the event is $10 for adults, $5 for children age 5-12, and free for youngsters age four and under.
Entry fees for the chili cook-off are $35 for individuals and $50 for restaurants. There will be three cash prizes of $300 each for the individual winner, the restaurant winner and the fans’ choice award. Vendor booths are also available for $50.
Music will be provided throughout the event, beginning with the Jamie Pelfrey Band playing country hits at noon. The Sharkadelics will take the stage at 1:45 p.m. with their popular set of classic rock hits before Mighty McFly starts playing top 40 hits from the 1980s and 1990s at 3:30 p.m. Numerous other events will also be held, including a pumpkin drawing contest and an ice cream eating contest.
“Fall is the most popular time of the year in Asheville and we’re adding to the beautiful weather and colorful leaves with an incredible fun-filled day at the ballpark,” said Mike Bauer, executive director of the Tourists and Palace Baseball. “Chili is one of the world’s great comfort foods, and we’ll have contestants offering nearly every type for even the most devoted chili connessiouers.”
The Tourists conclude their current homestand on Wednesday, July 29, against the Delmarva Shorebirds, starting at 7:05 p.m. The team returns to McCormick Field on Tuesday, August 4, for a four-game series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. For more information, call the Tourists front office at (828) 258-0428.