Route 66 Casino Hotel hosted the 14th Annual Calendar Car Show and Championship Chili Cook Off on August 4th and 5th. This two-day event garners hundreds of people eager to taste the best chili.
The Chili Cook Off is sanctioned by the International Chili Society and is held in conjunction with the annual Calendar Car Show. Over 300 classic cars, custom cars, trucks and motorcycles were on display. The top 12 cars will appear in the Route 66 2019 calendar. The Chili Cook Off event requires no entry fees; instead cooks are tasked to supply People’s Choice chili and invite guests to sample their recipe. Guests are able to sample chili by purchasing a tasting kits for $5.00.
Every year, LDC extends an invitation to a Laguna-based organization or program to sell tasting kits and received 100% of funds raised. Last year the Laguna-Acoma Hawks High School football team sold tasting kits and raised money for the purchase of equipment, uniforms and to defer other expenses. This year, the Pueblo of Laguna Senior Olympics accepted LDC’s invitation and were able to raise a whopping $1,810 during the event. 
The Laguna Senior Olympics is an organization that encourages physical fitness for seniors in the community. Members participate in various sporting events and tournaments throughout the year. Members of Laguna Senior Olympics were tabling the event and sharing information about their great organization. Additionally, the seniors’ metals and photos were proudly displayed showing their accomplishments.
LDC is proud to offer the Laguna Senior Olympics an opportunity to continue their mission and provide funding for Laguna seniors to participate in the state and national Senior Olympics. Offering organizations the opportunity to raise funds at one of Route 66 Casino’s biggest events is just one way LDC shows the company’s unwavering efforts to do good work for the community.
Finally, LDC would also like to recognize the Chefs who represented the Route 66 Food & Beverage Team in the chili cook off. Great job to Chef Gilles Desnous, Jesus Martinez, Jared McCullough, Esperanza Martinez, Gary Rascon and Abel Avila who all competed in the red chili, green chili and salsa categories. LDC also extends a THANK YOU to all employees for providing top-notch service and displaying LDC Core Values daily and at events like the Car Show Chili Cookoff.