Chili Cook-off and Archery Shoot at Lovewell State Park

Competition for whole family on Sept. 9; free entrance day

Lovewell State Park will hold its final special event of the season, a Chili Cook-off and 3-D archery shoot, on Sunday, Sept. 9.

Participants will register for the archery shoot from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., and shooting will be completed by noon, with competition in divisions for men, women, and youth, with prizes awarded in each division. A $10 donation is suggested to enter.

This will be followed by a “steel deer” competition — shooting at a steel deer silhouette with a hole in it — at noon. A $5 donation is suggested for this event. Prizes will be awarded for the first-, second-, and third-place shooters overall.

The chili cook-off will be held at the Lovewell Marina area. Chili cookers must register no later than 10 a.m. at the park office. The first 100 people who contribute $5 for a taste-testing ticket will be judges. Donations will be used for prizes at Lovewell State Park’s special events throughout the year. Judging tickets will be available at the cook-off area beginning at 12:30 p.m., and judging will start at 1 p.m. and end by 1:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the first-, second-, and third-place entries, by popular vote.

For more information, phone Lovewell State Park at 785-753-4971. Sunday is also a Free Park Entrance Day at Lovewell State Park. Vehicle permits are not required to enter the state park on that day, but camping permits are still required if camping overnight.