District’s Longest-Running Event Includes Live Music, Vendors and More
St. Petersburg, FL. (February 9, 2017) – The Grand Central District Association (GCDA) is hosting its 12th Annual Chili Cookoff on Saturday, February 18th, from 12pm-4pm. The Chili Cookoff is the Grand Central District’s longest-running event and serves as a fundraiser for GCDA, a 501c3 non-profit organization. The event will take place on the 2400/2500 block of Central Avenue and will include the chili competition, live music by Noisemakers, South Pinellas County’s School of Rock for kids (and the young at heart), and a variety of vendors.
There is no admission fee to participate in the non-chili aspects of the event and chili tasting tickets are available through Eventbrite for $15 at https://www.facebook.com/GrandCentralDistrictChiliCookoff. Advance ticket purchase is recommended; tickets will be available at the event for $20 (based on availability). Chili tasting tickets include samples of all 30+ chili entries, and voting participation in the People’s Choice category. The chili entries will also be tasted and scored by local celebrity judges, and winners will be announced at 4:30pm in multiple categories: Best Restaurant, Best Business, Best Individual, and People’s Choice.
Registration for chili entrants is still open, and sponsorship, vendor and volunteer opportunities are available. For more information, please contact the Grand Central District Association at 727.828.7006 or via email at chilicookoff@grandcentraldistrict.org.
Tawnee Walling, Executive Director, states, “The proceeds from the Grand Central District Association’s Chili Cookoff go directly to our Design Committee initiatives to beautify and light the Grand Central District Association – one of the oldest mixed use areas in the City of St. Petersburg. By focusing on the Streetscape of our community, we are able to continue to enhance our appeal to residents, visitors and businesses, thus increasing the economic vitality of our community.”
The 12th Annual Grand Central Chili Cook off is sponsored by Creative Loafing, Absolut Vodka, gaystpete.com, Local Shoppes 1, Media Garage Group, Metro Wellness and Your Neighborhood Realty, among others.
Participating restaurants include: CA Café, Casita Taqueria, Community Café, Deuces BBQ, Earl of Sandwich, Old Key West, Punky’s Bar & Grill, The Burg Bar & Grill, The Queenshead, Thirsty First, Urban Brew & BBQ, Urban Comfort and Zaytoon.
About the Grand Central District Association: GCDA is a 501c3 non-profit organization that works to support the District’s economic development and revitalization in an effort to make it a retail, dining and entertainment destination for St. Petersburg visitors and residents. It’s mission is to create a sense of community within a tradition commercial and residential neighborhood and promote on-going economic development.
About the Grand Central District: Founded in 2000, the Grand Central District is a nationally accredited Florida Main Street Community. It is home to many beloved local restaurants and bars, antique retailers, art galleries, unique shops, professional and personal services, health and wellness providers and more. The Grand Central District is pedestrian friendly and can be easily reached via the Central Avenue Trolley, which makes several stops within the District.