VAIL?MILLS - The Regional Animal Shelter will host the Chili Open on Sunday at Holland Meadows Golf Course, located at 1503 Route 29.

Tee times will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be followed by chili, music and beer while it lasts from 2 to 6 p.m.

The cost for golf will be $40 per person and includes the chili festivities to be held starting at 2 p.m.

The chili cook-off features two contests. In one of the contests, the area's restaurants will compete against each other for the title of Sacandaga's Best Chili, and individuals will compete against each other as well.

The categories are hottest chili, tastiest chili and most original chili.

All chili entries will be photographed and reviewed for all to see all year long at www.visitsacandaga.com and the event site, www.raschiliopen.com.

Restaurant contestants include: Fuller's Corner Store and More, J & S Old Country Store, Fuel-n-Food, The Fireside/Funny Farm, The Lanzi Brothers, Vic's Tavern, The Dixie Station, Whitey's, Deans Dogs, the Robin's Nest and the Sand Bar - with more entries on the way.

Those looking to enter their chili should have their crockpot at Holland Meadows by 1 p.m. Sunday. Restaurant entries need to bring a chafing dish.

There is no entry fee for chili, and a $10 tasting donation for people who wish to sample chili and listen to the music.

White Eagle Hot Dogs and Buns will be provided by Dean's Dogs.

Aaron Mittler will host the musical portion of the Chili Open with special guests Ony Antonucci, Elizabeth Emery and many surprise guests.

Prizes for the tournament include a half-day fishing trip from Kitterly Creek Outfitters on the Great Sacandaga Lake,

A $500 gift certificate towards the purchase of a retractable awning from Taylor Made Products (options can be viewed at www.taylormadeawning.com), tickets from Proctors Theatre, Skyheart Studios, SVAN, the Glove Theatre, The Adirondack and Elwood Museums, a massage from massage therapist Hannah Hanlon, a print form our favorite local artist Judy Olson, Action Eyewear Sports Sunglasses from Bangerz by Halo Optical, and a handmade three-legged milking stool from the carpenter's Workshop.

Other sponsors include: Gordon's Lakeside Marine, Powerhouse Motorsports, Havelick's Snowshoes, Fuel-n-Food, Ruby & Quiri, Fuller's Corner Store, J & S Old Country Store, Adirondack Stained Glass Works, Adirondack Harley Davidson, Fulton County Federal Credit Union, The Barkery, Sand Bar, the Lanzi Brothers, Dixie Station, Timeless Tavern, Eagle Mills Cider Company, White Cottage Gardens, Adirondack Emporium, Paws-R-Us and many more coming in daily.

Those wishing to donate a raffle prize may contact our committee chairperson at 725-6112 or eemery@nycap.rr.com.

All sponsors will be featured on the Web site www.raschiliopen.com all year and on the chili review at www.visitsacandaga.com.