Chili Cook-Off Hot Ticket On TUMS Fast Relief 500 Weekend

Next to the Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dog, the hottest culinary attraction during the TUMS Fast Pain Relief 500 weekend will be the Virginia Museum of Natural History’s Inaugural Chili Cook-Off presented by Martinsville Speedway.

Tickets and team slots remain available for the unique event on Saturday, October 24 at the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville. Chili fans will have the opportunity to sample some of the region’s best and unique chili from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on October 24.

Hermie Sadler, NASCAR driver and television and radio personality, will  be a special guest judge for the Chili Cook-Off. Sadler will also be driving in the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway on October 24.

Space remains open for teams wishing to compete in this year's Chili Cookoff.  Teams compete for a variety of awards including the "People's Choice Award" for best chili as determined by the public, and the "Grand Champion Best Chili Award", awarded to the top three teams according to the event's official judges.  Chili cooking skills aren't the only items of importance as teams will also be awarded for the best overall booth theme, as well as showmanship, which combines overall presentation, demonstration, performance and team costumes.

Tickets to this year's event are available in the museum store and the museum's online store at www.vmnh.net.  Advance tickets are $10 per adult and $5 for children 18 and under.  Tickets are $15 at the door.

To participate in this year's event or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, call the museum at 276-634-4166 or visit www.vmnh.net

The museum's Chili Cook-off will also feature music by the Part-time Party Time Band, an icon in southeastern entertainment for nearly three decades.  Members of the band boast a variety of experiences, including appearances with top name performers such as The Four Tops, The Tams, Delbert McClinton, and The Beach Boys.

Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on Sunday, October 25, the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, October 24 and the Farm Bureau Insurance Pole Day on Friday, October 23 are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.racetickets.com.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $77 for the TUMS Fast Relief 500.