The Harvest of Hope Foundation will host its first-ever Vegan Chili Cook-off from 1 to 8 p.m. at The Kickstand, a community bicycle shop, 722 S Main St.
More than 20 different vegan chilies will be prepared by individuals, teams and local restaurants such as The Top, Jones, Boca Fiesta, Booklover/s Cafe and Volta, according to event organizer Mike Ferrell.
The cook-off will also feature arts, crafts, ice cream and acoustic performances. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own bowls and spoons to reduce waste. An after-party for the benefit will take place at The Atlantic, 15 N Main St.
Local bands such as Whiskey and Co., New Bruises, Towers of Hanoi and Hot Graves will perform. Tickets are $8 for attendees under 21 and $6 for those old enough to drink. The show starts at 9:30 p.m.
The event will raise money for the Harvest of Hope Foundation, which provides emergency and educational aid to migrant farm workers.
After Ferrell and a friend from Harvest of Hope judged a vegan chili cook-off a couple of years ago, he decided it would be a great way to raise money for the organization.
"We thought it was spectacular. We thought that we could get more people involved and do it for charity," he said.