The aroma of chili will waft across Simon Park during ArtsFest in Downtown Conway, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10.

Hungry? For $5, you'll get a bowl, a spoon and an opportunity to taste the chili cooked by teams from six Conway civic clubs who responded to the First Ever Conway Civic Club Chili Challenge.

Proceeds from chili sales will go to support ArtsFest.

The challenge was sent out by Conway (Noon) Rotary Club. First to answer the challenge were teams from Conway Optimist Club, including one headed by Randy Derden, reigning Faulkner County Chili Champion.

Other teams signed up are from Kiwanis, Lions, Sunshine Optimist and Conway Morning Rotary.

Each club will provide an offering for official judging at 11 a.m. that must include ground beef and beans. Winner as selected by a panel of judges will receive a plaque and bragging rights. The official judges will also choose the winner of the showmanship award.

All chili will be eligible for the People's Choice award. Each $5 bowl sold will be accompanied by a ballot with that winner announced at 1 p.m. Extra ballots may be bought for $5.

A concession stand, offering hot dogs, cold drinks and homemade desserts will be manned by Conway Rotary Club with proceeds going to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, an effort of Rotary Clubs around the world.

For more information, contact Becky Harris at 501-505-8456 or Jacqueline Kordsmeier at 501-329-1818

Kiwanis members please Contact Erick Peebles.