Chilli and entertainment are coming to the Taylorville square this weekend, when the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest kicks off this Saturday morning.

The 2-day event serves as a major fund-raiser for the Chamber by serving chilli and Pepsi products both days. It also serves as 2 days of chilli and salsa judging by the International Chilli Society, attracting cooks from several states.

The Chillifest stage on the south side of the square is where all entertainment takes place again this year. Saturday kicks off with a welcome and opening ceremony at 9am, as well as the 5-K Run and Walk stepping off from the square. Voting for the Beautiful Baby Contest also begins Saturday at 9am.

Stage entertainment Saturday includes the Little Miss and Mister Chillipepper pageant at 9:30am, the Land of Lincoln Barbershop Chorus at 11am, the Turn Out Movement Arts Studio performance at noon, a chilli eating contest at 1pm, singer Danny Russell performing at 1:30pm, the Dance Station Dancers from Assumption performing at 2pm, local cheerleaders performing at 3pm, and the chilli and salsa awards presentation at 4pm.

Sunday starts off bright and early as the 4th annual Tractor Junket and Show rolls at 8am. The Great Pumpkin Contest sponsored by the Christian County Farm Bureau, takes place at 11am, and the ponytail contest sponsored by Karma Salon will be on the Chillifest stage at 12:30pm. Beautiful Baby Contest voting ends at 1pm Sunday, and the Dance Factory Dancers perform on the Chillifest stage at 1pm. The Taylorville High School Jazz Band performs at 2pm, and the most Beautiful Baby Contest awards are announced at 2:45pm with parents and contestants walking across the stage; there is no stage show with the baby contest this year. Chilli and salsa award winners are announced Sunday at 3pm.

Find more information on the 2011 Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest on the web, at chillifest-dot-info; that’s chillifest with 2-L’s.