The Euclid Chamber of Commerce will host the First Annual Euclid Winter Fest on Saturday, March 6, 2004 beginning at 9:00 am.

The day is planned to provide a variety of fun activities to help both residents and merchants shake off the doldrums of winter. Proceeds will benefit P.A.L. (the Police Athletic League) and the Euclid Chamber of Commerce.

The Winter Fest features three main activities. Briardale Greens on Babbitt Road in Euclid will be the site for two; the Chili Golf Scramble and the Chili Cook Off.

Snow or shine, golfers will get out on a shortened course for the first four-person scramble of 2004 at Briardale. Once completed, golfers will return to heated tents near the clubhouse to enjoy chili, hot dogs, refreshments and entertainment, courtesy of Oldies 1330 WELW Radio. Cost is $25 per person or $100 for a foursome and includes golf, prizes, chili tasting and other refreshments. Tee off time is at 9:00 AM.

Across Babbitt Road at Euclid Memorial Park baseball diamonds, twelve softball teams will compete for top honors and a trophy in the Chamber's first Snowball Softball Tournament.

The competition will be a double elimination, Texas shoot out. Entry fee per team is $100 and includes chili tasting and refreshment tickets good at Briardale Greens between and after the games.

The chili will be provided courtesy of entrants in the First Annual Euclid Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook-Off Competition. Ten of the area's finest restaurants and professional food preparation teams will compete for the title of People's Favorite Choice Award.

Judging will be done by ballots cast by all the hungry spectators, fans of the chili cooking entrants, golfers and softball players. The field is wide open. Entrance fee for members of the Chamber is $30. For non-members, entrance fee is $150 and includes their first year membership in the Euclid Chamber of Commerce.

"The Chamber of Commerce was looking for something new to do . . . something fun that everyone in Euclid could get out and enjoy," said Cameron Zwagerman of Hilltop Village. "We've modeled our Winter Fest along the lines of a number of successful winter festivals we've seen in other areas."

The Winter Fest is open to everyone to enjoy. You don't have to be a golfer or a softball player to come out and sample the chili. Everyone is welcome.

For those who wish to enter the Chili Cook-Off, play golf or enter a softball team, call the Chamber of Commerce Office at 216-731-9322. Applications are available by email, fax or at the Chamber of Commerce Office on Lake Shore Boulevard. For more information call Cameron Zwagerman at 216-261-8383.