The Del Ray Citizens Association (DRCA) will host the annual Del Ray Chili Cookoff this year, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The event will feature chili tastings from competition entrants, live music, beer, and snacks / soft drinks.
The Cookoff will be held Saturday, Feb. 25 from 5-8 p.m. in the gymnasium of the Commonwealth Academy (1423 Leslie Ave. in Alexandria). Anyone who lives in Del Ray can enter the cookoff competition; details for how to enter the contest are available on the competition website, https://delrayalx.wixsite.com/chili.
Winners of the competition will be determined by judges. The judging panel includes Bill Blackburn (HomeGrown Restaurant Group), retired Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, Nicole Jones (Modest Bread Restaurants), Bill Butcher (Port City Brewing Company) and Alexandria City Councilman John Chapman. Each winning entry will receive $100, along with bragging rights!
Those who would like to attend the event rather than enter the competition can purchase tickets in advance on the contest website. Ticket price includes access to free chili tastings, live music, free snacks and soft drinks (courtesy of Ting Alexandria), and free beer from Port City Brewing Company. Tickets are available for purchase online: $5 per children’s ticket, $7 for adult (DRCA member), and $10 for adults who are not DRCA members.
To view more information about the DRCA and information on how to become a member, please visit: https://delraycitizens.org/
The proceeds from this year’s Cookoff will be donated to Alexandria Celebrates Women, a local 501c(3) nonprofit organization that supports domestic violence survivors.
This year’s event is financially supported by sponsors includingTing Alexandria, the Del Ray Business Association, and Bobi Bomar, Ellen Patrick and Daniela Spigai Homes of Alexandria Team of Compass. Commonwealth Academy has generously donated the use of the gymnasium for the event.
To view more information and purchase tickets, please visit: https://delrayalx.wixsite.com/chili
The DRCA (https://delraycitizens.org/) was formed in 1954 as a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization for Del Ray residents and business owners who live, do or own a business or deal with property in Alexandria, Virginia. The goal of the DRCA is to keep its members informed of many aspects of Alexandria City life, including land use, public safety, volunteer opportunities, City Commissions, Alexandria Public Schools, parks and recreation facilities, transportation, business, housing, and many other major issues which impact quality of life.