Do you have the winter blahs? Then warm up in Merrill at the Spice It Up Chili Cook-off on Saturday, Jan. 28. The cook-off is sponsored by the Merrill Chamber of Commerce and will be held at 913 E. Main St. (the former Guy Shop) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Advanced tickets are now on sale at the chamber office located at 705 N. Center Ave. The advanced ticket price is $3. Tickets will also be available at the door: adults $4, children $2 ages 5-10, and under age 5-free.

You be the judge! All ticket holders will have the opportunity to select the chili cook-off winners by casting a ballot. There will be three winners selected based on the highest number of votes cast by you – the judges. The top two winners will receive Chamber Bucks and 3rd place will receive a Red Hot prize. There will be several types of chili to taste such as Chicken Chili, Chili Mac, and Pork Chili. Each chili will be identified as mild, medium or hot.

Besides having great tasting chili, each chili cook is encouraged to decorate their tables to entice the judges to cast their vote making them the Red Hot winner! Some of your favorite businesses will be serving, along with several home cooks.

Local shops will also have Red Hot Deals that day, so while you are downtown be sure to check out our locally owned shops, experience the local flavor and see what you have been missing!

Don’t let the winter blahs get you. Join us and Spice It Up in Merrill! For more information contact the Merrill Chamber of Commerce at 715-536-9474 or visit them at www.merrillchamber.org