Big Bear Lake, CA, July 15, 2010, 3:48pm – The Big Bear Chamber of Commerce will host the Big Bear Chili Cook-off: Southwest Showdown this weekend on Saturday, July 17th at the Bartlett Street parking lot in the Village. The event runs from 10am to 6pm with chili tasting taking place between 11am to 3pm or until the chili runs out. Chili cooks from California, Nevada and Arizona compete to win the regional championship and move on to the State Competition. Local businesses and organizations will also be competing. New this year, the event will be free with a $3 nominal fee to purchase a tasting kit which includes’ taking part in the People’s Choice Award. Over 60 vendors will be at the event with products ranging from Cool Toes water shoes to Uncle Tim’s Best West BBQ sauce. There will be an area just for the little ones with a kid’s zone including a dunk tank, rock wall, bounce houses, prize wheel, gold panning, face painting and temporary tattoos. Izon Eden and Damn Good Question will be providing entertainment. The Big Bear Chili Cook-off is a sanctioned event by the International Chili Society.?