Chilifest is back!
Following a three-year hiatus because of COVID-19, the Windsor Firefighters Benefit Fund is holding the popular fundraiser back on Friday.
This year, 30 restaurants have donated their best chilli, and each of the seven fire halls in Windsor have mixed up their own batch to compete for the coveted People's Choice Award.
The event starts at 5 p.m. at the Hellenic Centre on Walker Road at the E.C. Row Expressway. Tickets are on sale at the door for $15.
Firefighter Jason Pitre said the organization has been around for a century and raises money to help the local community.
"We like to try to make sure all of our money stays here local where we can see the impact it makes," said Pitre. "This year, one of our biggest focuses with Chilifest was supporting school breakfast programs."
Some of the money will also go to the charities in the city that need it the most.
Organizers continued their work during the pandemic, but Pitre said they had to pivot.
"We ended up doing a fundraiser for the homeless," said Pitre.
He and two other firefighters camped out for a night on the roof of Fire Station 2.
"We were able to donate over 120 sleeping bags," he said. "It was a cold night. I can tell you that."
