By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The Helena Middle School Dance Moms will be hosting a chili cook-off event on Saturday, Feb. 28, to raise funds for the HMS Dance Team as they prepare to travel for their spring trip to Disney World March 4-10.

The chili cook-off will be held at the Helena Amphitheater and any participants may show up at 6:30 a.m. to sign-up and begin cooking at 7 a.m.

There will be four different categories where participants can enter their best chili recipes. They include original, vegetarian, deer and exotic and each category includes a kids division for those wishing to enter milder chili recipes.

The entry fee is $30 per recipe and the deadline to enter is Friday, Feb. 20. Checks must be mailed to 1505 Hillsboro Lane, Helena, Ala., 35080.

Charity Miller, one of the dance moms and sponsor of the cook-off, has a daughter on the team and explained some of the rules of the cook-off.

“No one may bring any chili that has already been prepared, and we ask that participants bring a fire extinguisher if they have an open flame,” said Miller. “The judges will announce the winners around noon.”

Those wishing to taste the chili can show up as early as 10:30 a.m. and pay $5 to taste the recipes. There will also be a bake sale and drinks provided at the cook-off.

More information can be found on their Facebook page at Dance Moms Chili Cook-Off.