Peachtree City's "Great Chili Challenge" benefitting Special Olympics and The Joseph Sams School is expected to double both attendance and fund-raising this year, according to organizer Brent Wilkes.

Wilkes, president-elect of the sponsoring Peachtree City Civitan Club, says the crowd on Oct. 3 at Aberdeen Village Shopping Center may be "a happy problem." Last year the event hosted 3000 folks and raised about $6200, but this year the goal is $12,000, he said.

Chefs are invited to enter their favorite chili recipe for judging and consumption by the public by calling Linda Culver at 770-631-3802. Entry fee is $30, and reservations are on a first-come basis.

The event is free to the public, Wilkes said, and makes money for the charitable causes through business and corporate sponsors and prize raffles at the event.

Live music will be furnished by the Kopy Katz, a local band which proved to be a great hit on previous Chili Challenge days, Wilkes said.

"It's great event for families," he added. "Whether you like scorching chili, veggie chili, beefy chili, just-beans chili, or something in between, it'll be found at the Chili Challenge." Local politicians are generally called on to judge the recipes, he added.