How does chili sound? It’s going to be 80 degrees on Friday, and the 5th Annual Rooted and Rising Chili Fest and Family Resource Fair is scheduled for today starting at 4 p.m. in Washington Park.
Around this same time last year, Bill Schmitt, the executive director of Rooted and Rising, a resource and community center that provides housing, was fighting some rainy, chilly October weather. It was all to help serve others—and have some fun. That same event will happen today, but it’ll be about 30 to 40 degrees warmer.
Twenty-three people, including residents cooking in the kitchen, will have their bowls ready to be judged. With an outdoor activity space and a new playground ready to be revealed, Schmitt says this is about building community. Many of these residents faced homelessness, so Rooted and Rising wants residents to connect with them and their neighbors for some friendly competition.
Watch: Taste 23 types of chili and learn about community resources.
“There are a lot of good chilis that have been brought here over the years, and people bring a lot of creativity to it as well,” Schmitt said.
Schmitt said last year there were over 200 people in attendance. They try to keep this mainly focused on those in the Washington Park neighborhood.
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