TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) – The 27th annual Tupelo Chili Festival begins Friday.

The festival will be held at Fairpark downtown, with local businesses, groups, and organizations competing for the top prize: best chili in the All-America City.

Festival-goers will get to sample the dishes.

“It’s just really fun. I think they’ll like the lighthearted back-and-forth competition,” said Jessica Clayton, the Director of Marketing and Computer Outreach. “Especially within the city’s department and the financial district, like banks that participate. It’s just like fun, friendly rivalry and competition.”

Chili tasting and voting begins at 5:30 p.m. Live music will be at 6 p.m.

Admission is $10 and includes chili samples.