Palo Alto, CA -- The City of Palo Alto Recreation Special Events invites you to attend its 22nd Annual Summer Festival & Chili Cook-Off on Friday, July 4, 2003 from noon to 5 p.m. at Mitchell Park, 600 East Meadow Drive.

Teams of amateur and professional chili cooks will create gallons of delicious, freshly made chili as they battle for cash and prizes. An esteemed panel of prominent local community leaders will judge these chili creations in one of three divisions: Corporate, Open, or Vegetarian. Awards will also be presented for the Best Booth and Best Spirit.

Come enjoy an afternoon of sunshine, live musical entertainment featuring local reggae band Dub Fx, and a giant petting zoo for the kids. And you won't want to miss the Chili Team antics as they try to woo the hearts, minds, and palates of our judges! Admission to the event is free, and chili-tasting kits will be available for $5 each. What a great way to celebrate Independence Day!

This sizzling event is sponsored by the Palo Alto Recreation Foundation, the Palo Alto Weekly, Piazza's Fine Foods, Compadre's Bar & Grill and the Mendocino Brewing Company.

To hear the latest "dish" on this red-hot festival, please call (650) 463-4921.

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