This press release came in on the site’s contact form today, so I’m posting it:

Not Your Typical Chili Cook-Off: Chili Pepper & Brew Fest combines music, chili, and microbrews June 17-19

Snowmass Village, Colorado. June 1, 2005. In just a few short weeks, Snowmass’ summer kicks into high gear with a vibrant weekend of phenomenal music, some of the world’s best chili, and the nations’ top microwbrewers. The Chili Pepper & Brew Fest takes place June 17-19 and keeps the music, food and beer tastings, and activities going all weekend long.

"Chili Pepper & Brew Fest is a unparalleled value for both locals and visitors," says Event Director Josh Behrman. "You won’t find such low ticket prices for this caliber of event anywhere in the mountains this summer. We’ve got a world-class line-up with so many different components going all weekend long. There’s very few festivals out there like this."

What makes this festival so noteworthy? First there’s the music. Friday afternoon heats up with the tunes of New Monsoon at 5 p.m. and Keller Williams at 7 p.m. New Monsoon offers an irresistible blend of sophisticated songcraft, inventive musical exploration and down home rock-n-roll, while Keller Williams is one of today’s most distinctive guitarists/singer-songwriters who offers inventive solo performances that have garnered him the nickname of "mad scientist." Beloved Boulder DJ Harry closes down the night at the Blue Door with an accessible sensibility that appeals to a wide range of listeners and dance floor offerings.

On Saturday, DJ Dillon starts off the music action at 4 p.m. on the Snowmass Village Mall with an All the Freaky People funk and costume party at 4 p.m. Chuck Prophet, described as a "singular, maverick creative force" takes to the stage at 5 p.m., followed by artist of conscience and wildly popular and controversial Michael Franti & Spearhead at 7 p.m. Afterwards, the Blue Door takes the party indoors with Lotus, a five-piece ensemble that performs astonishingly danceable soundscapes. The music scene continues on Sunday with the finals of the Roaring Fork Valley Battle of the Bands Competition at 1 p.m. where local bands vie for a $1,000 cash prize.

The music alone is enough of a reason to head to the mountains for Chili Pepper & Brew Fest, but it’s actually only a third of the festival’s appeal. Friday and Saturday offer International Chili Society-sanctioned competitions, where district and regional competitors will vie for the chance to move on to the world competition and $40,000 in prize money. Competitions will be held both days in the categories of Chili Red, Chili Salsa, and the popular Chili Verde and several previous world champion competitors are expected to attend. On Sunday, locals test out their spicy sides in a local’s cook-off. All three days offer afternoon chili tastings for the public. A bowl of chili isn’t complete without an ice cold beer on the side, and Chili Pepper & Brew Fest obliges by luring some of the nation’s top microbrewers for two days of tastings and a prestigious summer ale competition. From lesser known microbrews like Oskar Blues to aficionado favorites like Dogfish Head and Stone to perennial favorites like beer sponsor Tommy Knocker and New Belgium Ale, Snowmass will be awash in fine ale and food.

Perhaps the best part of Chili Pepper & Brew Fest is the cost: tickets are only $15 per day and include access to the concerts, food concessionaires, and arts & crafts vendors. For only $10 more, a $25/day party pass allows unlimited access to the microbrew tastings and the opportunity to sample 10 different types of chili per day. With most lodging within walking distance and at extremely reasonable early summer rates, the Chili Pepper & Brew Fest offers an unbeatable mountain combination.

For a complete schedule and event information, media can visit www.snowmasspress.com/chili. Visitor and lodging information is available at www.snowmassvillage.com or by calling 1-800-SNOWMASS. Tickets for the event are available online at www.baselineticketing.com or at various local outlets including: Village Liquors in Snowmass, Sounds Easy in Carbondale, Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Glenwood Music in Glenwood Springs, All that Jazz in Steamboat Springs, Mo Jo Music in Avon, Affordable Music in Dillon, Cabin Fever in Gunnison.