Palos Park to expand chili fest, add ribs

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Jose Torres, of Orland Park, has been perfecting his chili recipe for 30 years. He was a contestant Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, in Palos Park's annual Chili Cook-Off. | Steve Metsch~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 14, 2012 8:08AM

Attention, chili fans: Be sure to leave room for barbecue ribs if you visit Palos Park’s annual fall festival in September.

The village is expanding its chili cookoff this year to include a barbecue ribs contest, village manager Rick Boehm said Wednesday. The one-day festival also is getting more live music and will conclude later than in previous years, Boehm said.

The newly named Autumn In the Park Festival will be Sept. 15 on the village green near village hall, 8999 W. 123rd St.

Mayor John Mahoney thought it would be a good idea for the village to host a bigger event with an eye toward celebrating Palos Park’s centennial in 2014, Boehm said.

“Planning started right after last September’s festival. This is a beautiful area and we want to share it with the community and surrounding communities,” Boehm said.

The chili cookoff has increased in popularity every year. About 30 entrants from around the nation competed in September, and chili lovers lined up early, lest they miss a taste or two. Village officials hope the ribs contest will prove as popular.

“People were standing in line for the chili contest during the parade, but they missed our wonderful 9-11 ceremony,” Boehm said. “We need to keep people here later and we needed to update the event, to change it around.”

There still will be a morning parade down 123rd Street, but the chili and ribs contests won’t start until 2 or 3 p.m., Boehm said, giving people more reason to linger and enjoy the event.

Plans call for a fine arts area and wine-tasting, he said, and the Center will offer hayrides. Two popular local bands will perform, with the second band ending around 10 p.m.

“We haven’t signed contracts yet, but they’re good local bands with good followings,” Boehm said.

The village is talking with the Chili Appreciation Society International and the International Chili Society about sanctioning the contest.

This year’s ribs contest will not be sanctioned by an official organization but probably will be in future years, Boehm said.

“We’re having a lot of fun with this. It’s a good opportunity to showcase Palos Park, which is such a wonderful place with so much to offer,” Boehm said.