The NAACP will have its Freedom Fund banquet, while two chilifests will be back-to-back on two sides of the river.

The NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet for the Southeastern Ohio branch of the organization will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Grandview Inn in South Point. Tickets, priced at $20, may be purchased by calling 532-9064.

This year's keynote speaker will be William E. "Bill" Cofield Sr. of Frankfort, Ky. Cofield received his higher education from Fort Valley State University, Tuskegee University and Ohio State University, and his work experience includes being the

Kentucky State University assistant to the director of land grant programs, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's director of minority affairs. Besides extensive work with the NAACP, Cofield's community service work includes being a

board of education member and a past president of Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Frankfort.

Earlier in the evening, a church group is offering flu shots and warm chili to help people recover.

The Memorial United Methodist Church Reach Group in Coal Grove will have a chilifest from 4-6 p.m. Saturday. Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital will be giving flu shots for $15 with free shots for those on Medicare or Medicaid. Dinner, which includes chili, a sandwich, dessert and a drink will be $5. A songfest will follow at 6 p.m.

Doris Collins, Reach Group president, said the chilifest is an opportunity for people to have dinner while getting their flu shots at the same time.

However, another chilifest in Ashland, Ky., is a competition.

The 2003 "Great Bowls of Fire" Chili Fest and Cook-Off will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday on the parking lot adjacent to the Paramount Arts Center along Winchester Avenue. Twenty-six groups are competing. Cooks are asked to arrive at 8 a.m. The winners will be announced at 5:30 p.m.