ASHLAND, Ky. — Get ready to get your taste buds tingling because Ashland, Kentucky’s 12th Annual Chili Fest is coming soon. This year’s chili fest will be on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland.

The chili fest will pit local chili makers against each others for the chance to see whose chili is the best.

All chili will be made on-site at the festival and should be ready for sampling around 11 a.m., said Lori Bush, chairperson for the chili fest.

Festival guests can purchase tickets to sample chili and then can vote on their favorite chili in the people’s choice contest.

Those wanting to participate in the people’s choice competition can contact the festival committee to receive free beans donated by Bush’s Beans for the festival.

For the more serious competitors who want to advance to the International Chili Society competition, there will be judges who determine which cooks win top awards.

During the festival there will be live music, concessions, dancing, a dog competition and a chair giveaway sponsored by Big Sandy Superstore.

“The sponsorship has been phenomenal from the Tri-State,” said Bush.

Proceeds from this year’s chili festival will go to the American Cancer Society.

“The more chili we sell…that’s going to benefit the American Cancer Society,” said Bush.

A Great Bowls of Fire Chili Fest Kick Off will be at 6 p.m. this Saturday at Calihan’s American Pub and Grill in the KYOWVA Mall in Ashland.

Tickets for the festival can be purchased during the Callihan’s kickoff or at Poage Landing Days, First Fridays, or the Labor Day Fest in Ashland.

For more information contact Lori Bush at Tri-State Regional Cancer Center at 606-329-0060 or Andrea Arnett at 606-329-8251.