Winter Magic Kickoff Features Fantastic Chili, Marvelettes
Jim Davis, City of GatlinburgOriginally published: October 15. 2009 12:09PM
Last modified: October 15. 2009 12:11PM
Are you thinking chili?
Offering mouth-watering recipes of home-style chili ranging from mild and delightful to wild and adventurous, the City of Gatlinburg hosts its 20th annual Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff on Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 4 to 9 p.m. on the popular Downtown Parkway.
Highlighted by the seasonal debut of the spectacular all-LED Gatlinburg Winter Magic lights program and entertainment headlined by the return appearance of the fabulous Marvelettes, up to 20 vendors will serve up kettles of chili ready for you to sample as the event makes the jump to the Parkway between traffic light #6 and the Riverside Motor Lodge.
The spectacular Winter Magic Fireworks Show at dusk during the opening ceremony is sponsored by Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg, www.mountainchalets.com <http://www.mountainchalets.com/> .
With the purchase of a ticket, receive a spoon and a voting ballot, then starting at 5 p.m. be pleasantly tempted and tested before casting your vote for the People’s Choice Award. Also, judges will select winners in categories including Best Taste, Booth Presentation, Apron Design and Most Unique Chili Name.
Motown's first successful female vocal group, the Marvelettes are most notable for recording the company's first US #1 pop hit, "Please Mr. Postman <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Please_Mr._Postman> ", and for setting the precedent for later Motown girl groups such as Martha and the Vandellas and The Supremes.
Their hits included, “Don’t Mess With Bill,” “Beechwood 4-5789,” and “Playboy,” sure to get you up on your feet for a trip around the dance floor at the Chili Cookoff.
The main stage will also feature the musical group Soulfinger, spearheading a neo-classic soul movement with original sounds.
Confirmed vendors include: All Sauced Up, Citizens National Bank, Corky’s Bar-B-Q, Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Bar, Dixie Stampede, Flat Hollow Marina & Resort, Fox & Parrot Tavern, Gatlinburg Elks Lodge, Gatlinburg Fire Department, Gatlinburg Mass Transit and Parking Department, Gatlinburg Police Department, Gatlinburg Town Square, Hilton Garden Inn, Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg, Puckers Sports Bar & Grill, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Sevier County Utility District, Tennessee State Bank and TGI Friday’s.
Gatlinburg Winter Magic tm is the $1.5 million custom designed, one-of-a-kind lighting displays which now feature all LED, energy-efficient bulbs along the Parkway, adjacent River Road, the triangle juncture of the two, Cherokee Orchard and Hwy. 321. The City of Gatlinburg has converted its entire winter lights program to quarter-watt LED bulbs, replacing the 5-watt incandescent bulbs and reducing the City’s electricity cost for the program by some 85 percent.
Event sponsors include A Step Above & Premier Limousine, Best Western Twin Islands, Coca-Cola, Food City, Hard Rock Cafe, Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Sprint and Star 102.1.
Tickets are $7, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Pi Beta Phi Elementary School PTA. For more information, call the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce at (865) 436-4178 or 1-800-568-4748.
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