TOMS RIVER, NJ — Bring plenty of water and an appetite on Saturday as Downtown Toms River hosts the 28th annual New Jersey State Chili & Salsa Cook-Off.

The event, held on Washington Street between Main Street and Hooper Avenue, is set to begin at 11 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. Admission and parking are both free. Tasting kits to sample The People's Choice Chili and vote for your favorite are $7. Local winners advance to the International Chili Society cook-off. The event will be held rain or shine, officials said.

The event draws chili and salsa cooks from all over, and this year there is a new commercial category, featuring many local restaurants and chefs, according to officials with the Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District. In addition, there will be vendors selling other food and merchandise, amusements and inflatable rides for he kids, and live entertainment by the bands Tequila Rose and Boccigalupe (Botch-a-ga-loop). Toms River Volunteer Fire Company 1 will host a beer and wine garden.

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And many of Downtown Toms River's restaurants and stores will be open for business, officials said.

The event begins at 11 a.m. with a parade celebrating the 2017 cook-off winners, and the national anthem will be played. Then it's food, games and fun, with the voting closing at 3:30 p.m. and winners announced at 4:30 p.m.

For more information visit downtowntomsriver.com. The Chili & Salsa Cook-off is sponsored Xfinity, Down's Ford, Bath Fitter, NJNG, SUEZ, First Energy Foundation, Shore Community Bank, Allied Building Supply, Community Medical Center, 100.1 WJRZ, 95.9 WRAT, 92.7 WOBM, 105.7 The HAWK, Stop & Shop, and the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, officials said.