10TH FLAMBOROUGH CHILI FEST HEATS UP FROM OCT. 1 TO 2

Things will heat up at local restaurants from Oct. 1 to 2 for the 10th annual Flamborough Chili Fest.

The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Flamborough Women's Resource Centre (FWRC), a program of Interval House of Hamilton that helps support women and children in the community through counselling, housing and employment supports, legal advocacy group system navigation and financial assistance referrals.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the chili fest was an in-person event held at the Waterdown Legion, but it transitioned to restaurants offering chili fest specials at their establishments.

To support the fundraiser this year, customers can visit 10 participating local businesses and order a chili fest special or visit a two-day pop-up event at West Avenue Cider House.

WHEN IS THE CHILI FEST?

The event runs from Oct. 1 to 2 at 10 participating restaurants and food trucks, and a pop-up event will be held from Oct. 1 to 2, from 12 to 6 p.m. both days, at West Avenue Cider House, located at 84 Concession Rd. 8 E.

WHICH RESTAURANTS ARE TAKING PART?

• Bo's Sports Bar, 419 Dundas St. E., Waterdown

• Boston Pizza, 4 Horseshoe Cres., Waterdown

• Brogden's Restaurant, 64 Hamilton St. N., Waterdown

• Cascata Bistro, 281 Carlisle Rd., Carlisle

• COBS Bread, 94 Dundas St. E., Unit B4, Waterdown

• Copper Kettle Cafe, 312

Dundas St. E., #4, Waterdown

• Earth to Table: Bread Bar, 258 Locke St. S., Hamilton

• Soups from Me to You, Waterdown Farmers' Market

• Stuffed. Handcrafted Perogies, Waterdown Farmers' Market

• Tea at the White House, 35 Main St. N., Unit 1, Waterdown

WHO WILL BE AT THE WEST AVENUE CIDER HOUSE?

• Chef Nina's Creative Kitchen

• Goodness Me

• Stuffed. Handcrafted Perogies

WHAT DOES THE EVENT MEAN FOR THE FWRC?

Amy Comtois, Interval House of Hamilton's resource development co-ordinator, said the 10th anniversary is a milestone, adding that all of the proceeds from the chili fest will be going directly to supporting women.

"We're just so grateful for all of the support from the participating businesses, as well as the Flamborough community for supporting us year after year."

Comtois said the Interval House of Hamilton is in need of donations, as its shelter is extended far beyond capacity, with 31 people in the 22-bed facility. She said those issues translate directly to FWRC, which does outreach support in the rural part of Flamborough and Waterdown.

"We're still seeing really high rates of violence within the community," she said.

"What we really need right now are financial donations to help us increase our staffing hours and increase the resources we have available so we can best support the women in the community who reach out to us for help."

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ chilifestflamborough.