A chili fall day at Bethel Woods

BETHEL, NY — The Smallwood-Mongaup Valley Fire Department will defend its title for having the “best chili in Sullivan County” on Sunday, October 9 during the Harvest Festival at Bethel Woods. The third annual “Chili Day in October” runs from 11:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the corner of Hurd and West Shore Roads.

Festival-goers will decide who makes the best chili by sampling recipes prepared by each fire department beginning at 12:00 noon. Sullivan County Legislators will also select their preference at 11:30 a.m. Fire companies include Smallwood-Mongaup Valley (returning 2004 champion), Monticello (2003 champion), Rock Hill, Swan Lake and White Lake. The winning department will claim the trophy, designed by Sutphen East, for the next year.

Music will be by Random Folk and Common Ground. The stage is sponsored by Zubatkin Associates. Author Chris Olney, director of Land Conservation at The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development in Arkville, will sign copies of his book “The Catskill Park: Inside the Blue Line: The Forest Preserve & Mountain Communities of America’s First Wilderness.”

This is also the final week to cast a ballot for a favorite scarecrow. The most popular scarecrow votes will be tallied and announced, and a cash prize awarded to the creator.