CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — The Kiwanis Club of Opelika and the Opelika Police Department (OPD) are cooking up some competition for a cause this fall.
The inaugural Chili on the Tracks, a chili and grilled cheese competition, is set for Saturday, Nov. 18, in downtown Opelika. The event will kick off at 11 a.m. on North Railroad Avenue and North 7th Street.
Competitors will line the streets, serving samples of their best chili and/or chili and grilled cheese combos for a chance to win the coveted title of Judge’s Choice or Crowd Favorite.
Teams have four options for registration: Corporate Chili, Corporate Chili and Grilled Cheese Combo, Amateur Chili or Amateur Chili and Grilled Cheese Combo.
Event tickets are $15 and include six chili samples and six grilled cheese samples.
The event will conclude at 1 p.m. or when the chili runs out.
Proceeds will benefit children in the community through several organizations.
OPD’s “Shop with a Cop” is a new program focused on strengthening relationships between law enforcement and youth in the community. Local children are selected for the program and will have the opportunity to purchase holiday gifts for their family and items for themselves with the assistance of a police officer.
OPD’s goal is to raise $8,000 this year to sponsor 40 children. Additional funds raised will be split between two organizations, Big House Foundation and Magic Moments. Big House is a nonprofit ministry in Lee County dedicated to meeting the needs and improving the quality of life for children in foster care. Magic Moments mission is to grant non-medical magic moments to children with chronic life-threatening or severe life-altering conditions, who live or receive treatment in Alabama.
Kiwanis Club of Opelika and OPD have partnered with Opelika Mainstreet to host the inaugural Chili on the Tracks. Event entertainment is sponsored by the Opelika Public Library and will feature live music from artist Joe Rushing.
Team registration is now open, and more information can be found online at www.bit.ly/OPDShopWithACop. Team registration closes Monday, Oct. 30, at noon CST.