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The Klemens family takes home three prizes: Best Spirit, People’s choice and Best Overall (3rd Place) at the Summer Festival and Chili Cook-Off in Mitchell Park, Palo Alto on July 4th, 2023. Photo by Vivian Cromwell.

Eleven varieties of chili, six cash prizes, 3,000 chili tasters – and one of them could be you. 

The City of Palo Alto is hosting its 40th 4th of July Chili Cook Off on Independence Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mitchell Park. This year features eight family teams and three corporate teams, including Palo Alto Professional Firefighters, vying for six cash prizes including “Best Spirit Award,” “Best Decorated Booth,” “Best Overall Chili” and “People’s Choice Award,” decided by the first 3,000 people to receive a free chili tasting wristband at 11 a.m.

Attendees enjoy the first Summer Festival and Chili Cook-Off since the pandemic at Mitchell Park in Palo Alto on July 4th, 2023. Photo by Vivian Cromwell.

“We do have limited quantities, so if folks are interested, I suggest they come at 10:30, 10:45 to line up,” said Lance LeDrew, recreation coordinator of special events for the City of Palo Alto. 

Sergio is adding red and blue fruit syrup to his snow cone, made by Island Sno at the Summer Festival and Chili Cook-Off in Mitchell Park, Palo Alto on July 4th, 2023. Photo by Vivian Cromwell.

In addition to free chili tasting, find a variety of food trucks, including Twister Food Truck serving orange chicken and pork katsu, Oaxacan Kitchen serving burritos and nachos, I Love Cheesesteak serving cheesesteaks with an Asian twist, Chubbys Chickn serving Nashville hot chicken, and more. Beer and margaritas will also be available.

Joe Hidalgo, left, is throwing the pingpong ball for the game of Beer Pong with his friend Jonathan Iloreta at the Summer Festival and Chili Cook-Off in Mitchell Park, Palo Alto on July 4th, 2023. Photo by Vivian Cromwell.

This family friendly event has a kids’ corner with arts and crafts and bouncy houses. San Francisco-based Motown mashup band Steady Eddy and the Shakers will provide live entertainment. Water refill stations will be available. LeDrew estimates there will be around 4,000 to 5,000 people coming out to this year’s event. 

Kids enjoy the bounce house brought by City of Palo Alto at the Summer Festival and Chili Cook-Off in Mitchell Park, Palo Alto on July 4th, 2023. Photo by Vivian Cromwell.

“Parking is very limited, so walk or ride your bike,” LeDrew said. “Bring a blanket, bring some sunscreen.”

Jack, 6, is jumping high for the bubble from the wand by Anna Bila at the Summer Festival and Chili Cook-Off in Mitchell Park, Palo Alto on July 4th, 2023. Photo by Vivian Cromwell.

4th of July Chili Cook Off and Summer Festival, 600 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto. July 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Adrienne Mitchel is the Food Editor at Embarcadero Media. As the Peninsula Foodist, she's always on the hunt for the next food story (and the next bite to eat!). Adrienne received a BFA in Broadcast...

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