The 38th Annual Ajijic Chili Cook-Off

This was the 38th annual Chili C00k-off. It was held in the Tobolandia water park in Ajijic on February 26, 27, and 28th, 2016. It is the biggest fund raising event of the year for all the charities in the area. If you would like to be part of next year’s event, please go to their website: www.mexicanchilicookoff.com. Also, if you would like more detailed information about the event, you will find it there.

First Stand

The first Stand first stand was a real treat, both to the eyes and the stomach. Check out all the food and drinks set out on the table for visitors. Plus the woman with the beautiful smile, was handing out cloth bags to everyone. This was all provided by eSun energy. Thank you eSun…. I was thirsty and I loved the cookies.

Rugs for Sale
Rugs for Sale

Many of the craft stands were locals.  I recognized the rugs from their stand along the carretera in Ajijic. They are 100 percent wool. Beautiful.

Craft Booths
Craft Booths

Those hats must have been popular during the Cook-off days. The weather was very warm and the sun was bright. The craft booths were located all over the Tobolandia grounds. I believe there were even more craft booths this year than last year. There were  58 art and craft booths and 7 food and drink booths.

Craft Booths
Craft Booths

Above is a long view of just a few of the craft booths. It is nice that they made the walk area shaded.

Crafts
Crafts

The beautiful balsa wood crafts in the above photo are from Oaxaca.

Artist
Artist

Above is a photo of water colorist John McWilliams. He looks so happy because he always sells many of his watercolors at this event. He is very talented.

Beer Stand
Beer Stand

The beer stand wasn’t selling many beers when I took this photo but maybe because it was only ten in the morning. A bit too early for a beer. These food stands were all part of the fund raising for various charities. Each charity had a stand.

Food Stand
Food Stand

The ribs looked very good. The money from the ribs went to the School for Special Children. If you would like to know more about these charities, please go to the Chili Cook-Off website.

Eating Area
Eating Area

Most of the food booths were in this main eating area. The people in the outlying areas didn’t get as many customers. There was entertainment going on during all three days. I only saw one band. But there were other bands and dance performances.  Also, on Friday there was a Margarita competition. Now that would have been fun to sample.

Hot Dog
Hot Dog

That hot dog looked good but I was saving my appetite for the chili tasting.

Food Stand
Food Stand

Yum, grilled hamburgers and onions…..This stand was for Ninos Incapacitados del Lago.

Food Stand
Food Stand

The woman in the photo above was shrugging because she had no customers. Her booth was located a bit away from the main area and people hadn’t discovered it yet. Hopefully, it got busy later on in the day.

The Band
The Band

The woman in the above photo was having a great time dancing alone in front of the band. The name of the band was Blue Jay (Pinkus). At least that was the name listed on the program. I have no idea of why the second name is in parenthesis.

Dancers
Dancers

More dancers. It isn’t only the  young who have the urge to kick up their heals to a good blues band.

Boy with Bird
Boy with Bird

The boy in the above photo was at the booth for the protection of the animals. He could have also held a snake.

Boy with Bird
Boy with Bird

I liked the above photo too. The boy was very brave. I wouldn’t have managed it.

Ticket Stand
Ticket Stand

It looked like as many chili eaters as last year but not as many chili makers. There were only six stands on Saturday and two of them didn’t show up. Of the four left, one hadn’t arrived yet with the chili. So it was slim pickings with chili for the eaters, but it was all delicious and great fun.

Chili Area
Chili Area

Another problem that I discovered from talking with several people after the cook-off is that they didn’t know where the chili was located. They of course were first time visitors and they didn’t see the huge sign that was over the bridge saying COMPETITION.

Chili Booth
Chili Booth

This year I didn’t get the names of the participants. It was just too busy for me to interview them.

Chili Booth
Chili Booth

The couple in the above photo made White Chili. It was very different from any other chili I have had. But it was delicious.

Chili Booth
Chili Booth

These two women were cooking up a storm. They had grated cheese, crackers and sticks of celery out for people to eat with their chili.

Chili Booth
Chili Booth

The young woman in the above booth was waiting for the chili to show up.  At least she was good matured about it. The people in the other booths were already serving out their chili.

Going Home
Going Home

I am guessing that the woman wearing the Chili Cook-Off shirt bought it two years ago. It looks like a much loved shirt. If you are ever in town during this event, I hope you will not miss it. Great fun! And then you can buy your own t-shirt to take home with you.

Join The Discussion

One thought on “The 38th Annual Ajijic Chili Cook-Off”

  • Warren Klein

    Thank you for the pictures. It looked like everyone was having a nice time. I also enjoyed your comments under the pictures.
    Warren

    Reply

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