Chili Cook-Off is on February 27 in Downtown Bay City.

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Downtown Bay City to Host First Annual Chili Cook-Off on February 27

Event to be Held in conjunction with Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics

February 18, 2016
By: Pati LaLonde

The forecast for Downtown Bay City Feb. 27?

Chili with a good chance of hot and spicy when 12 downtown eateries show off their best chili for the first ever Polar Bear Chili Cook Off running from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10, are available at each participating restaurant, and at the Downtown Development Board, 901 Saginaw St. and include a sample of chili at each location. Each ticket is also a ballot, allowing everyone to vote for their favorite.

"It's a family-oriented event," said Candace Bales, executive director of the Downtown Management Board. "With our many great restaurants, it seemed a logical opportunity to partner with them."

Them, (in this case) being those behind the Michigan Law Enforcement Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics, taking place the same day at the Dow Bay Area Family Y.

With the plunge coming to Bay City, Bales thought it was the perfect time to entice more people to come downtown.

"We know the kind of energy here can only benefit the Polar Bear Plunge," she said. "What a great fun event they do. They've been in Saginaw, and it is exciting they are moving here."

This is just the first cube on the iceberg. If all goes well, Bales sees the chili cook-off becoming a yearly event.

Participating restaurants: American Kitchen, 207 Center Ave.; Asian Noodle, 200 Center Ave.; Atrium, 1100 N. Water St.; Brewtopia Coffee, 810 Saginaw St.; Gatsby's Seafood & Steakhouse, 203 Center Ave.; Mulligan's Pub. 109 Center Ave.; Old City Hall, 814 Saginaw St.; Shipyard Bay City, Stein Haus, 1108 N. Water St.; 1019 N. Water St.; Tavern 101, 101 Center Ave.; Washington Lanes/Striker's Sports Bar, 1205 Washington Ave.; and Water Front Market & Deli, 925 N. Water St.