More spice: 30th annual Chili on the Comstock set

Chili — in all its smoking-hot guises — returns to Virginia City on May 11-12 for the 30th annual Chili on the Comstock.

“Cooks from all over the country come to Virginia City to compete,” said Jess Horning with Liquid Blue Events, which manages the cookoff.

The chili booths and fun can be found from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along C St., the historic town’s main drive.

About 40 cooks will compete to move on to the International Chili Society finals later this year.

Competitors start from scratch on Saturday morning and a winner is picked for each day. There is also a people’s choice award.

The two-day event also features craft and food vendors, a children’s area, live music, and a new Fireball Crawl.

Thirteen of Virginia City’s historic bars will participate in the Fireball Crawl and scavenger hunt, which starts off with free shot of Fireball Whiskey with the purchase of a souvenir tasting glass. Participants who successfully find the scavenger gifts at a handful of bars, plus have their crawl cards stamped at all 13 bars, will receive a T-shirt.

For family-friendly entertainment the Family Fun Zone in the Delta Saloon parking lot features multiple bounce houses, face painting and music.

The outside stage features popular country cover bands Amanda Gray and Whiskey Savage on Saturday and the Chris Gardner Band on Sunday.

Tasting kits and Fireball Crawl tickets can be purchased online now, with early-bird prices available until the day of the event. Prices vary for chili-tasting kits from a “cautious tester” at $7 to the “Hot Chili and Chilled Brew — Party of 4” pack at $60. The Fireball Crawl alone is $10.

For tickets and more information, go to www.visitvirginiacitynv.com or call the Virginia City Tourism Commission at 775-847-7500