Chili recipes

And things will heat up today down at Court Square where the SFD Privates Club will sponsor a chili cook-off beginning at 11:30 a.m. with several fire stations presenting their secret chili Recipes for judging. The SFD Privates Club is a social club whose activities benefit the Springfield Fire Department. The firefighters will also be selling their chili every day at the Slice, and all proceeds will be used to buy refreshments for them during fires and for scholarships.

"It's getting really competitive when it comes to who can have the best chili, and it's not just which station, but which guy," said Springfield firefighter Rick D. Brohman.

"Guys are guarding their recipes like a winning lottery number," he said with a laugh.

While firefighting depends on teamwork, when it comes to the kitchen, things are different.

"People are booking the kitchens alone. They don't want anyone in there when they are preparing their chili at the station, so that no one can see what goes into it," Brohman said.

"My chili recipe is imported from Buffalo where I used to live," he added about his entry.

And, there will be varying degrees of "heat" in the kitchen.

"We will have everything from two- to three-alarm chili to general alarm chili," Brohman said about how hot and spicy some chili concoctions will be.

To cool off after that hot and spicy chili, there will be a new beer and wine garden this year where specialty beers and wine will be served for an additional charge during the evening hours only.

Each evening of the Slice features live music, including Help Wanted, with country artists Susan Jayne and Michael David tonight; the Loni Clark Show, featuring Loni Clark of the Marvelletes Friday; and modern rock band Almost Speechless and the Diamond Collection, a Neil Diamond tribute show Saturday. When there is no live music playing, the melodic sounds of The Big E's New England Band Organ will ring out.

Additional family fun includes NASCAR racing on a small scale for free with Travelin' Slot Car Racing Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can also take a pony ride around Court Square Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday for $2.

Saturday afternoon, students from the Community Music School will take the stage and Home Depot will present a special children's workshop. Clowns from the Pioneer Valley Clown Ally #225 will entertain young and old and there will be face painting.

Father's Day events Sunday will include the annual "Dads Make A Difference" celebration with a parade down State Street culminating at the gazebo on Court Square.