For Immediate Release --  September 15, 2009

Contact: Nicole Alvarez (NOA); 706-864-1306 ext 6

Annual Chili Festival Sure To Be a Crowd Pleaser

NOA and the Dahlonega Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce are teaming up for this year’s annual Chili Festival to be held Saturday, October 31, 2009 at Hancock Park off the Historic Dahlonega Square.  The event will begin at 11 am and will run until 2 pm.  Tickets are only $10 and are free for children under 10 years of age.

You can enter the chili cook-off for $25 and compete against others to become the Chili Champion!  Back by popular request will be the professional class for local chefs and restaurants to compete for Dahlonega’s Best Chili!  Awards will be presented to the top three chili recipes as well as the favorite professional chili recipe.  Come out and vote for your favorite!  Returning from last year are Tom and Julie, musicians made famous at Dahlonega’s own Crimson Moon.  There will be a special area for sponsors to showcase their products and for attendees to browse and enjoy.  All proceeds from the event will go to the NOA domestic violence center which offers emergency shelter and support services to victims of family violence in Lumpkin and Dawson counties.  You may purchase tickets or register for the event through NOA (706-864-1306 x6) or at the Visitor Center at the Chamber of Commerce.  You may also purchase tickets or register as a contestant online at www.noonealone.org.  Sponsorships are still available.  To become a sponsor please contact Nicole Alvarez (NOA) at 706-864-1306 ext 6. Applications also available at www.dahlonega.org.

Come out and have a Howling Halloween; trick-or-treating and a special movie night at Hancock Park will take place after the Chili Festival. For more information, contact the Dahlonega – Lumpkin County Visitors Center at 706-864-3711 or 800-231-5543.

Ride to the Chili Festival in style and take part in the inaugural NOA Poker Run being held that morning.  The Poker Run will begin at Moto 400 in Dawsonville and will finish up at the Chili Festival in Hancock Park.  Participants in the Poker Run will receive a complimentary ticket to the Chili Festival.  A prize will be awarded to the “best hand” of cards.  Registration for the Poker Run will begin at 8:30 am at Moto 400 in Dawsonville.  Last bike out by 9:30 am.  There will be a total of 3 checkpoints between Moto 400 and the Chili Festival but each will remain a mystery until you arrive at each check point!  The fee to participate in the Poker Run is $20 per person and all proceeds will benefit local victims of domestic violence through the NOA program.  For more information contact Nicole Alvarez at 706-864-1306 ext 6.