If you’re looking for something fun, family-friendly, and full of hometown flavor in Nelson County, mark your calendar for Saturday, March 14th.

The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office is hosting their First Annual Chili Cookoff and Touch-A-Truck Event at the Lovingston Fire Department, and it’s shaping up to be a full day of food, fun, and community spirit.

Things get started at 10 a.m. and run until 4 p.m., with judging kicking off at noon.

First, the chili. If you’ve got a secret recipe that makes people sweat and ask for seconds, it’s $20 to enter your chili in the cookoff. If you’d rather just show up hungry, it’s $10 to taste and sample all those delicious creations. Sweet, smoky, spicy, five-alarm… you get to be the judge.

But this isn’t just about chili.

Kids will love the Touch-A-Truck experience, where they can get up close with emergency vehicles and equipment. It’s hands-on, interactive, and always a big hit with little ones who dream of flashing lights and big engines.

And wait until you hear about the special guests.

The Nelson SPCA will be on site with pets available for adoption. Allen’s Reptiles will be making a special appearance. And yes… the now-infamous, viral Nelson County kangaroo family is scheduled to hop by. That’s right. Kangaroos. In Lovingston.

Best of all, every dollar raised benefits Special Olympics Virginia, so you’re supporting an incredible cause while enjoying a fantastic day with neighbors and friends.

So whether you’re entering chili, tasting chili, meeting reptiles, adopting a pet, or just coming out to enjoy the day, make plans now for Saturday, March 14th, 10 to 4, at the Lovingston Fire Department.

Great food. Great people. An even greater cause.