ChiLLy Fest welcomes Christmas
Christmas celebrations continue in Marengo County when Linden hosts its 10th ChiLLy Fest 2019 Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13 and 14.
Former Mayor Mitzi Gates will lead the Christmas Parade of Lights as grand marshal on Saturday at 6:30 p.m., to be followed by a “Fireworks Extravaganza,” said Bruce Ward, events coordinator.
“This honor is particularly meaningful to me because of my memory of Linden’s very first Christmas Parade of Lights,” said Gates.
She was appointed to the Linden City Council in 2006 to fill the remaining two years of a vacated seat. One of the first committees she volunteered to lead was to rekindle interest in the Linden Christmas Parade.
When the chili cook-off was added in 2008, the celebration officially became ChiLLy Fest. Since then more attractions have become part of the two-day event.
Ward said entries to the night parade still are being accepted through Friday, but at least 20 will take part.
Everything kicks off in Scott Park at 4 p.m. Friday with a Christmas Carnival. A party for teams competing in the chili cookoff will be held from 8-11 p.m., and an “Anything But” (chili) event will be from 6-9 p.m.
The band Farmer’s Daughter will perform at a free concert.
Events on Saturday begin at 8 a.m. with an expected 20 local food vendors and arts and crafts booths offering their wares until 2 p.m.
Christmas music will entertain fair goers while they shop, and the carnival rides will continue all day. Car-lovers will be able to attend the ChiLLy Fest Cruise-In Car Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Judging for the Chili and Cornbread Cook-Off is at 11 a.m., and teams will serve the public beginning at noon. Ward said some 15 teams are vying for the top prize of $500 in the chili contest and $100 in the cornbread event.