Benefits Children’s Burn Unit
The City of Akron sponsors its 6th annual Firefighter’s Chili Challenge, Friday, January 6 from 11:00am to 1:30 pm at Lock 3 on South Main Street in Downtown Akron.
Akron firefighters will once again present a challenge to other city departments and businesses to see who can concoct the best chili for Downtown workers.
The famous firehouse chili-makers will square off against other chili cooks for the benefit of Akron Children’s Hospital’s Burn Unit. The contest has raised over $10,000 since the annual chili contest began at Lock 3 in 2007.
This year, Akron Firefighters will be trying to hang on to their reputation against the award-winning chili-makers from Summit County Clerk of Courts Dan Horrigan, the 2010 “People’s Choice” winner. Also cooking in this year’s red-hot event will be the Akron Police Detective Bureau, the Public Service Department, plus a team from the Downtown law firm Brouse McDowell.
Five dollars buys chili eaters four tickets that can be used for four separate tastes or all four tickets can be used for a bowl of chili. Beer, soft drinks, water and coffee will also be available for purchase.
Akron’s own Thirsty Dog Brewery will offer “Lock 3 Lager” for just $2 during this event only.
A panel of celebrity judges will decide the best of the bunch, and all entrants will compete for bragging rights with the “People’s Choice” award, voted on by those attending.
As an extra incentive this year, Lock 3 will open its Reindeer Run sledding hill, weather permitting, during the cook-off from 11 am – 1:30 pm, with donations also benefiting the Children’s Hospital Burn Unit. Downtown businesses are encouraged to bring teams of workers to try out the popular sledding hill, a new attraction for Holidayfest this year.
Ohio’s largest seasonal ice rink is open through Sunday, January 29. January hours are Thursdays, 11 am -9 pm; Fridays and Saturdays, 11 am – 11 pm; and Sundays, 11 am – 6 pm. On Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 16, Lock 3 will be open 11 am – 6 pm.
The Reindeer Run sledding hill operates 6-9 pm Thursday-Saturday, and 1 pm -4 pm, Saturday and Sunday.
Ice carving comes to Lock 3 January 14 -15, as students of University of Akron chef Richard Alford sharpen-up their saws and chisels for rounds of competition later in the season. Teams of students from the gardemanger club and ice carving team will be practicing their ice sculpting for visitors Saturday and Sunday.
Lock 3 has been setting records this season for ice skaters and sledders, with more than 12,000 people taking to the rink over the first four weekends of the season.
The Lock 3 rink opened November 19 for its 8th winter season in Downtown Akron. No events are planned for February, but Saturday morning pancake breakfasts begin in March.
The City is getting ready to celebrate Lock 3’s Tenth Anniversary Summer Season in 2012 with the popular concert series “Rock the Lock” beginning May 25.
For a complete schedule of events at Lock 3 visit www.lock3live.com or call the Lock 3 Park Information Desk at 330.375.2877.
About Lock 3
Lock 3, located at 200 South Main Street in Downtown Akron, is open through January 29 with skating at Ohio’s largest seasonal skating rink. Free admission. $3 skate rental. $3 sled rental.
Contact Information
Interviews and photos are readily available. To set up interviews or to receive photos, please contact Maria Nagel at 330-441-2493 or maria_nagel1@yahoo.com.
