Fall and chili go hand-in-hand. The South Lake Tahoe Recreation Complex will host the fifth annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Four years ago, the Chili Cook-Off was added, and this year, tasting will occur from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the day of the event.

For $3.50, festival-goers have the opportunity to sample six different types of chili and vote for their favorite. This year, Lake Tahoe Humane Society, So Good It’s a Crime, Chimayo Grill, Hopeful Henry, Moon House and Casey’s – An American Cantina will face off to win the chili cook-off.

Golden Bear Events produces the event, which also includes a cake walk run by Sally of Sally’s Playhouse. Raffle drawings and other fall festivities will also be available at the one-day event.

“There will be free games and small prizes for kids. Face painting by Upgrade Your Party will be offered for a small fee, and vendors will offer goods and services,” according to a press release from Golden Bear Events.

Admission to the festival itself is free, but in addition to chili bowl and face painting fees, cake walk participation costs 75 cents.

“Each attendee will receive a free door prize ticket, with drawings held every 20 minutes for items such as a water bottle from Tahoe Sports Ltd., a coffee mug with gift certificate from Sugar Pine Bakery, small plants, a container of specialty popcorn from Well Pop My Corn, reusable bags, books and more,” states the release.

More information is available at http://www.goldenbearevents.com or by calling 530-544-7412.

South Lake Tahoe Recreation Complex is located at 1180 Rufus Allen Boulevard.

— Lake Tahoe Action