DC101 Chili Cook-Off Promises Spicy Chili and Hot Bands

DC101 Chili Cook-Off Promises Spicy Chili and Hot Bands

Tickets Go On Sale April 4 through Ticketmaster

WASHINGTON, March 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Now in its 29th year, the DC101 Chili Cook-Off benefiting the National Kidney Foundation is DC's biggest street festival featuring top bands and dozens of the area's best chili cooks competing for top honors. The event is set for Saturday, May 10, 2008, from 11:00 am - 8:00 pm at 11th Street and New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, the site of the former convention center. Last year the event sold out for the first time ever guaranteeing that tickets will go quickly this year when they go on sale. The stellar lineup of bands will play a big role in that. Musical acts include headlining sets from Staind and Live, as well as Seether, Finger 11, Chevelle, Deaf Pedestrians and the winner of DC101's "Last Band Standing Contest."

True to its name, the Chili Cook-Off boasts a fierce competition between 75 chili cooks in four categories: Red Chili, and Green Chili, Freestyle, and Salsa. The winner of the Red Chili category goes on to the International Chili Society World Championship in the fall. Among the judges will be Joe Wootten, Boys Basketball Coach at Bishop O'Connell in Arlington, who donated a kidney to his father legendary DeMatha Coach Morgan Wootten in 2006.

DC101 Program Director Cruze said, "We are very excited to put the 2008 Chili Cook Off together to benefit the National Kidney Foundation. We are thrilled with this year's lineup and can't wait to bring Washington, DC together for another awesome show! Get your tickets quickly, as this one will sell out even faster than last year!"

Preston A. Englert, Jr., President & CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of the National Capital Area said, "We are proud to partner once again with DC101 on one of the biggest events in town. The Washington, DC metropolitan area leads the nation in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease, but through our Knock Out Kidney Disease campaign we are truly affecting change in the health of our region. The Chili Cook-Off is a major fundraiser that helps make KOKD possible."

Growing in stature and gaining momentum every year, the DC Chili Cook-Off is one of the largest events of its kind in the nation. Last year's Cook-Off attracted 15,000 people and raised over $700,000 dollars for the National Kidney Foundation of the National Capital Area. Major sponsors for the 2008 Cook-Off include Bud Light, Hard Times Cafe, and CN8, the Comcast Network.

Tickets, which are $30 - $40, go on sale April 4 at 10 AM through Ticketmaster. On May 10, participants are encouraged to take Metro to Metro Center or Gallery Place.

Press: Please call 202-244-7900 ext. 35 for credentialing.

The mission of the National Kidney Foundation is to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: National Kidney Foundation of the National Capital Area

CONTACT: Michele Anthony or Nicole Hawkins of the National Kidney
Foundation of the National Capital Area, +1-202-244-7900; or Cruze (bands) of
DC101, +1-301-587-7128

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Profile: International Entertainment