About 30 Syracuse University students will assist the Thornden Park Association with its 10th annual Chili Bowl Festival Feb. 26 from noon - 4 p.m. in the Stone Field House area of the park. The festival is an annual event that brings chilies and family fun to the University neighborhood. Attendance is free, and food and beverages will be available for purchase along with Thornden Park T-shirts, post cards and aprons.
The student volunteers were organized by Karen Ventrone of SU's Office of Government and Community Relations. They will work 2-? hour shifts setting up, organizing children's activities, assisting with serving chili and cleaning up.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to work with members of the Thornden Park Association, and another way that SU partners with the University neighborhood," says Ventrone, who is also helping at the event. "Students have an opportunity to meet area residents and experience some of what Thornden Park has to offer."
The Chili Bowl Festival evolves each year with new activities. The 10th anniversary celebration will include the premiere of a new team sport called Chili Ball, snow shoe hikes with staff from Baltimore Woods, and a raffle of gift certificates and items donated by local businesses and organizations.
The menu consists of five "from scratch" chilies?original recipe Syracuse chili, Cincinnati chili, chicken chili, classic beef chili and vegetarian?that will be served in various ways. Home-brewed root beer and homemade brownies will also be available.
"Thornden Park is a resource akin to a 'big back yard' for Syracuse University," says Lyn Simmer of the Thornden Park Association. "It's a wonderful space for students to enjoy year round, and the Chili Bowl Festival is a great opportunity for the SU community to get better acquainted with the park and the neighborhood community that supports it."
For more than 20 years, the Thornden Park Association, a nonprofit corporation, has worked to preserve and protect the park. The Chili Bowl Festival is one of two annual fundraisers that raise money to upgrade park facilities, sponsor events and encourage increased use of the park by the public.
For more information, contact Karen Ventrone in SU's Office of Government and Community Relations at (315) 443-3919.
