PORT TOWNSEND — A community picnic is planned at the 32nd annual Port Townsend Chili Cook-Off on Sunday.

Homemade chili and corn bread will be judged at the cook-off at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 4907 Landes St., with gates opening at 12:30 p.m., free registration from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and judging starting at 3 p.m.

A horseshoe competition will begin at 1 p.m.

The event drew 40 entries last year and attendance of between 75 and 80, said Ron McElroy, an organizer.

“This year, we’re supposed to have 70-degree weather, so we’re looking for 100-plus” to attend, he said.

Chili categories include mild, hot, family-style — with beans and/or vegetables — and verde.

The team of judges will consist of the 2010 winners: McElroy (Best Mild, Best Hot and Best Overall), Don White (Best Verde), Lois Lund (Best Family-Style) and Cheryl Pruitt (Best Corn Bread).

One of the winners of a category will be chosen as Best Overall Chili, McElroy said.

The creator of the championship chili will have his or her name engraved on the cook-off trophy created by Bob McGarrough, McElroy said.

‘Loosely run’

The cook-off is “very loosely run,” McElroy said.

“We’re just a bunch of friends who have done this for the last 32 years,” he said, adding that it started with “two guys from Texas and two guys from Oklahoma” bragging that each made the best chili.

The cook-off is not sanctioned by any of the chili societies and so has none of the restrictions that a sanctioned chili cook-off has.

Chefs cook their chili and corn bread at their homes and can keep their creations warm on a fire pit with a grill at the cook-off.

Picnic tables will be provided. Visitors are urged to bring their lunches, beverages and table settings.

The cook-off is not a free chili feed, McElroy said.

“The chili cooks may choose to share their creations, especially if offered a nice piece of pie or some of that delicious potato salad in trade,” he said.

Music will be provided by Pete Raab.

For more information, phone McElroy at 360-385-2556, Larry Dennison at 360-301-0120) or Raab at 360-774-1219.