The public is invited to prepare their best batch of chili for a contest coming up this weekend. The West Chester Heritage Association is inviting those in town and out of town to register for its 1st Annual Chili Cook-Off, and attend the event at the West Chester Community Center on Saturday to help determine which chili is best.

Event director for the association, Carol Hough, says fundraisers allow them to keep the center open. The association was formed and began managing the former school as a community center in 1981. The school was built in 1917, and the association’s four museums the building now houses continue to preserve the school and city’s history.

Those looking to enter the cook off need to do so by 5 p.m. Thursday. Judging will start at 5 Saturday. Entrance fees will go to the first, second and third place winners. The Iowa vs Penn State basketball game will be on the center’s big screen during the cook-off, which runs until 7:30.