By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – Fires will rage for a good cause during the second annual Fire at the Foothills Barbecue and Chili cook-off in Chelsea March 2.

The event will kick off at Chelsea’s Tractor Supply at noon and will last until 4 p.m.

“2013 is going to be bigger and better now that we have more sponsors. We are adding live entertainment and a kids’ play area,” said organizer Scott Weygand, a Chelsea Farmers Insurance agent.

Last year, the event raised $2,000 for the March of Dimes and Chelsea Fire and Rescue’s Fire Safety Program, which features Hero the firehouse Dalmatian.

The Chelsea firefighters will begin judging the entries at 11 a.m., and the event will be open to the public at noon.

Barbecue teams can enter until Feb. 16. Entering the competition costs $200, and teams will be able to compete in every category, including ribs, chicken, team choice and team spirit. Teams may begin setting up March 1 at 6 p.m., and the cook-off begins March 2 at 7 a.m.

To enter the chili cook-off, contestants pay an early entry fee of $25 or a day-off fee of $35. Power strips will be available for contestants to plug in slow cookers.

For more information or entry forms, email Weygand at sweygand@farmersagent.com.