Gimme Some of that Hot Stuff

Calling all chili and salsa aficionados! Next month the Cypress Community Festival — the biggest one-day festival in Orange County! — will be holding its 32nd Chili Cook-off and Salsa Contest. Hundreds of people come to taste the best homemade chili and salsa in town.

Got a winning chili or salsa recipe — or both? An application packet with all the necessary information may be downloaded from the Cypress Community Festival website at http://www.cypressfestival.com/. Be sure to mail your entry by Wednesday, July 11. Make your check payable to the "Friends of Cypress Recreation and Parks, Inc."

All proceeds from entry fees for the Chili Cook-off and Salsa Contest benefit the many projects the Friends group supports. In the past, projects have included building baseball score booths, dugouts, and redesign of City parks to meet the needs of diverse users.

Do you represent a business or “for-profit entity?” If so, the Orange County Health Department requires that you fill out and turn in a Craven Exemption along with your entry form. This written declaration stipulates that you will receive no monetary benefit other than that resulting from recognition of your participation in this event.

Everyone is invited to join the fun and vote for their favorite “hot stuff.” Taster’s Choice Ballots go on sale at 12 noon on Festival day. For $4 you get a brown bag holding a plastic spoon, a ballot, and a pin-on judge’s ribbon.

Ballot packages sell out fast! Don't wait to buy your ballot package or you could lose out on voting!
Once you've made your decision on the tastiest chili and snappiest salsa, turn your ballot in to be counted. Ballots will be tallied beginning about 3 p.m. Winners of the Chili Cook-off and Salsa Contest are scheduled to be announced from a nearby stage by 4 p.m.

If you have any questions, please call Chili Chair Brian Sunley at (714) 828-9551. A copy of the application, along with more information and details are found on the Festival website at http://www.cypressfestival.com/. When you visit the Festival website, click on the “Primary Participants” tab in the left sidebar.

The Cypress Community Festival will be held on Saturday, July 28, at Oak Knoll Park, 5700 Orange Ave. in Cypress.

Photo Caption: Got a winning chili or salsa recipe — or both? Join in the fun at the annual Chili Cook-off and Salsa Contest on July 28th at Oak Knoll Park in Cypress.

Chili and Salsa Contest Appplication Link: http://www.cypressfestival.com/files/2012ChiliPacket.pdf