MONROE - Good weather could bring more than 700 people to Monroe on Saturday.
The 18th Annual Chili Cook-off heats up at 8 a.m. on Monroe's Historic Courthouse Square.
Both lanes of 10th Street will be closed between 16th and 17th avenues for the event.
Construction progress will determine if the bands, food stands and beer garden will be located on the inner lane of 17th Avenue or on the inner lane of 16th Avenue, and the weather will be a major factor in that decision.
"We will not close fluid traffic on, off and around the Square, but (we) have to allow for adequate participant and spectator space for safety," Monroe Main Street Director Barb Nelson said.
As for parking, Nelson said, Wisconsin Community Bank, Amcore Bank, Stop & Go, Spring Square and, of course, the Monroe downtown parking ramp will provide convenient parking opportunities from all directions, and a nice chunk of the Square is reopened.
Cooking begins at 8 a.m., and local and area celebrities will start judging the chili entries at noon. First, second and third prizes will be awarded in the traditional category, as well as first and second prizes in non-traditional entries.
Also awarded is the highly coveted People's Choice Award, chosen by attendees who may purchase samples for 25 cents or $2 a bowl.
Winners will be announced at 3 p.m. between the bands' performances.
The Steve Meisner Band will be on the musical stage from noon to 3 p.m., followed by Stateline Playboys from 3:30 to 7 p.m.
Added to the chili event this year are an Apple Pie contest and a Hot Dog Eating contest.
Traditional and non-traditional pie winners will be announced right after chili winners are named. The public may purchase samples of pie for 25 cents or $2 a slice. Ice cream also will be available for those wanting pie a la mode.
Hot dog eaters will commence following announcements of winners. But the messy eaters will not be on the band stage. Listen for an announcement of their location.
Rounding out the day is an array of fun-filled activities for people of all ages.
From 9 a.m. until noon, several entertainers also are expected to be on hand, including theatrical players from Shakespeare on the Edge.
Kid's Korner is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a petting zoo, games of all kinds, a kid's psychic, balloons, ice cream coupons, face painting, toys and prizes. Kids may go trick or treating 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at participating stores.
Crafters and a psychic reader will be on the Square from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additionally, the Farmers' Market will be located on the south side of the Square.
Several displays will be set up around the Square. Check out the Scarecrow Contest at Amcore Bank; Green Haven's clothesline project; and the tractors and motorcycles on display.
Sexual Assault Program will be doing face painting.
If chili and pie are not enough for your palette, Monroe Youth Hockey is serving brats, hot dogs, chips, cinnamon rolls, chili, water, lemonade and root beer.
Noon Optimists will be preparing walking tacos, pork chop sandwiches and water.
Green County Welcome Center booth is serving cream puffs and apple jack sandwiches.
Dairy Princesses will be handing out cheese samples during the chili cook-off.
And SLICE has a beer tent open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The 18th Annual Chili Cook-off heats up at 8 a.m. on Monroe's Historic Courthouse Square.
Both lanes of 10th Street will be closed between 16th and 17th avenues for the event.
Construction progress will determine if the bands, food stands and beer garden will be located on the inner lane of 17th Avenue or on the inner lane of 16th Avenue, and the weather will be a major factor in that decision.
"We will not close fluid traffic on, off and around the Square, but (we) have to allow for adequate participant and spectator space for safety," Monroe Main Street Director Barb Nelson said.
As for parking, Nelson said, Wisconsin Community Bank, Amcore Bank, Stop & Go, Spring Square and, of course, the Monroe downtown parking ramp will provide convenient parking opportunities from all directions, and a nice chunk of the Square is reopened.
Cooking begins at 8 a.m., and local and area celebrities will start judging the chili entries at noon. First, second and third prizes will be awarded in the traditional category, as well as first and second prizes in non-traditional entries.
Also awarded is the highly coveted People's Choice Award, chosen by attendees who may purchase samples for 25 cents or $2 a bowl.
Winners will be announced at 3 p.m. between the bands' performances.
The Steve Meisner Band will be on the musical stage from noon to 3 p.m., followed by Stateline Playboys from 3:30 to 7 p.m.
Added to the chili event this year are an Apple Pie contest and a Hot Dog Eating contest.
Traditional and non-traditional pie winners will be announced right after chili winners are named. The public may purchase samples of pie for 25 cents or $2 a slice. Ice cream also will be available for those wanting pie a la mode.
Hot dog eaters will commence following announcements of winners. But the messy eaters will not be on the band stage. Listen for an announcement of their location.
Rounding out the day is an array of fun-filled activities for people of all ages.
From 9 a.m. until noon, several entertainers also are expected to be on hand, including theatrical players from Shakespeare on the Edge.
Kid's Korner is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a petting zoo, games of all kinds, a kid's psychic, balloons, ice cream coupons, face painting, toys and prizes. Kids may go trick or treating 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at participating stores.
Crafters and a psychic reader will be on the Square from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additionally, the Farmers' Market will be located on the south side of the Square.
Several displays will be set up around the Square. Check out the Scarecrow Contest at Amcore Bank; Green Haven's clothesline project; and the tractors and motorcycles on display.
Sexual Assault Program will be doing face painting.
If chili and pie are not enough for your palette, Monroe Youth Hockey is serving brats, hot dogs, chips, cinnamon rolls, chili, water, lemonade and root beer.
Noon Optimists will be preparing walking tacos, pork chop sandwiches and water.
Green County Welcome Center booth is serving cream puffs and apple jack sandwiches.
Dairy Princesses will be handing out cheese samples during the chili cook-off.
And SLICE has a beer tent open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.