Cinnabar Theater to Host Great Petaluma Chili Cook-Off & Beer Tasting in May

Things are starting to get hot in Sonoma County! This May, Cinnabar Theater invites you to the Great Petaluma Chili Cook-Off & Beer Tasting. Don't miss this 18th annual celebration of local chefs and amazing microbrews.

More than 40 teams serve up their finest meat and vegetarian chili as well as traditional or fruit salsa, while 16 breweries share several varieties of beer. It's a raucous good time with 1,500 of your neighbors and new best friends. This delicious event takes place at the fairgrounds in Petaluma on Saturday, May 9 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Bring the family for live music and fabulous food.

"With fantastic food, brews, and bands, the Chili Cook-Off is always a great time," said Cinnabar's executive director, Terence Keane. "We're so grateful for all the breweries, businesses, restaurants, and groups that make this event a huge success - and for all the teams that strive to outdo each other with delicious dishes. We're thrilled that so many people have a great time while raising money for a good cause."

The Great Petaluma Chili Cook-Off is a benefit for the children's programs that Cinnabar provides to the community. These activities include summer camps, after-school classes, weekend intensives, discounted tickets, and delightful shows performed entirely by kids such as an upcoming production of the buoyant Broadway musical You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown.

In fact, as part of the Chili Cook-Off, Cinnabar has received a matching grant to support the many programs it provides for youth. Every donation made between now and May will be doubled by the generous folks at Ocean State Job Lot Foundation - so double down with a tax-deductible gift to help local kids!

Popular restaurants are participating in this year's Chili Cook-Off including Beyond the Glory, the BBQ Spot, Fourchette, Pub Republic, Sax's Joint, and Zodiac's. They're joined by caterers like Bellyfull Dinners and Preferred Sonoma Caterers, as well as teams from the Coast Guard, the Petaluma Fire Department, and the Rotaract Club of Southern Sonoma County. Many businesses are fielding teams too, such as North Bay Smiles, Petaluma Market, the Sonoma County Gazette, and the Washington Square Vet Clinic as well as your local Trader Joe's and Wells Fargo.

The beer garden at this event features 16 local brewers as well as Sonoma Cider. Don't miss this opportunity to sample suds from 101 North Brewing Company, 21st Amendment Brewery, Dempsey's Restaurant & Brewery, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, Hen House Brewing, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Lost Coast Brewery, Mad River Brewing Company, Moonlight Brewing, Moylan's, Northcoast Brewing Company, Petaluma Hills Brewery, Sierra Nevada Brewery, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, and Stone Brewing Company.

Tickets are free for kids under 5, $10 for ages 5-11, $25 for adults, or $40 with beer. To purchase a ticket, or for more information, call 707-763-8920 or visit GreatChiliCookOff.com. The event is held in Herzog Hall at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, which is located at 100 Fairgrounds Drive in Petaluma.

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