It’s Chili Cook-Off time

Two things are always certain at the annual Chili Cook-Off: music and, duh, chili.

This year -- its 26th -- will provide those event necessities, but also a few other attractions Saturday.

Extreme motorcyclist Geoff Aaron will perform three exhibitions in between musical acts, a local group of wrestlers will flaunt their muscles, and all the bands performing will appear at the Plan 9 tent to sign autographs and pose for photos.

"There are a lot of diversions in addition to the chili and the bands," said Casey Krukowski, program director for radio station The X (102.1-FM), which is staging the Chili Cook-Off.

As for the mainstays, about 25 amateur and professional chili cooks will be scattered throughout the Richmond Raceway Complex to vie for cash prizes ($1,000 for best amateur, $1,000 for best pro and $500 for best booth). A panel of judges will determine the winners.

Additionally, chili chowhounds can vote on The X's Web site (http://www.1021thex.com) after the event to anoint the "People's Choice," which doesn't come with a cash prize, only bragging rights.

Non-chili fans need not go hungry, either, as several local restaurant vendors will offer standard fair fare, such as hot dogs and pizza.

The X's popular morning-show host, Elliot, who is syndicated from rock station DC101, will be in town tomorrow at The Pour House in Short Pump to give away tickets to the event from 7 to 9 p.m. He'll return Saturday to hang out at the cook-off starting at 2:30 p.m.

The music will start shortly after gates open at 11 a.m., with Searching for Timothy kicking off the day at 11:45 a.m. on the amphitheater stage.

The rest of the day will feature Pop Evil (12:45 p.m.), Framing Hanley (2 p.m.), Anberlin (3:15 p.m.), Hollywood Undead (4:30 p.m.) and Trapt (5:45 p.m.).

Seating is general-admission and first-come, first-served.

For details, visit http://www.1021thex.com/pages/chiliinfo.html.

Contact Melissa Ruggieri at (804) 649-6120 or .

If you go
What: The X Chili Cook-Off'09
When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Ave.
Bands: Searching for Timothy, Pop Evil, Framing Hanley, Anberlin, Hollywood Undead and Trapt
Tickets: $20 advance (Plan 9 Music, BK Music, Richmond Music Center, http://www.1021thex.com), the X studio at 3245 Basie Road; $25 day of show. Children 10 and younger are free with a paying adult.
Info: (804) 474-0178 or http://www.1021thex.com