A little art, some music and a heck of a lot of chili is on offer during the 42nd annual Spring Arts Bazaar and Chili Cook Off presented by the Prince George and District Community Arts Council Saturday from
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Studio 2880.
As always one of the highlights, of course, is the chili sampling that takes place as patrons of the arts purchase a potter-created ceramic bowl they get to keep and taste test any and all of the different versions of chili provided by 11 participating teams between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
This friendly competition is all about the bragging rights and sees some secret ingredients being imported from exotic lands as part of carefully tried and true recipes while others are throwing everything into the pot but the kitchen sink to see what kind of concoction can be created on the spot to pique the interest of all those discerning palettes.
For many years The Spice Cabinet, which is MLA Shirley Bond's and Mike Morris's team, took the title but last year the gourmet foodies of CFIS - FM 93.1 inched away with the popular vote so organizers are anticipating some stiff competition from all the regulars while new teams showcase their culinary expertise include the Kiwanis and Yellowhead Rotary.
The usual suspects are the Prince George Potters Guild, Jim Pattison Group, Prince George Public Library, BCNE, The Prince George Citizen, PGSO and the arts council's board of directors.
"Year after year this is a fundraiser for the Prince George Potters' Guild and the Community Arts Council and it's a really fun kick off event where we have about a dozen or so artisans on the front lawn and all our guilds are represented," Lisa Redpath, program manager for the CAC said. "We have face painting for the kids, and there will be an anniversary cake for Canada's 150, which will be served at 11:30 a.m."
Coldsnap provides the entertainment which takes place throughout the event, she added.
"So it's very lively and this is the type of event where all the community groups get together and support each other and we love the support the art community gets," Redpath said.
The potters' create all the bowls for sale during the fundraising event.
Redpath said she happened to be on site as some potters opened up four kilns that held some of the bowls specially created for this annual event.
"I am just blown away by how beautiful the bowls are," Redpath said. "We would like to invite everyone to come out and enjoy themselves. It's such a fun event."
