Though there may be snow on the ground it won’t be long before the smell of chili will be in the air.

For the first time since 1995, the first Saturday in June will not see the Spilli Chilli Cookoff take place.

According to one of the event organizers, Nola Alt, chili heads do not need to feel any despair.

The event will occur on June 11, which is the second Saturday in June this year.

“Mark your calendars and grease up your chili pots to take part in this one and only annual event in Spillimacheen,” Alt said.

Last year over 700 chili lovers from far and wide visited the event in Spillimacheen.

“Due to the fact that the event is open to the public from 11 a.m. and running all day, it wasn’t overly crowded at any one time. Do plan to get to the site no later than 1 p.m. if you want to taste the chili offerings, since the free samples do run out long before the music and merriment,” Alt said.

Last year was lucky and saw a warm summer day which made for brisk ice cream and cold drink sales while the shady craft display areas provided perfect opportunities for browsing and buying of art, jewelery, homemade jams and other crafts.

For those who want to supplement their chili samples with burgers and hot dogs, there will be a food booths offering these and possible other yummy edibles for people to sample.

Anyone interested in cooking, displaying arts and crafts or playing music can contact Dennis Alt at 250-346-3390. Go to the website www.spillichilli.com to see past year’s events as well as download the entry forms.