The aroma of chili, barbecue and beans will fill the air Saturday, Oct. 3, as cooks compete for prizes in the cook-off portion of the ninth annual South Texas Music Fest - Chili, Barbecue and Bean Cook-off.

Registration is tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 2, and the festival is Saturday.

The event, to benefit the Jody Mc- Cormick Vocational Scholarship Fund, will feature People’s Choice awards in addition to the usual cooking and showmanship awards.

Festivities begin tomorrow with registration for the CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International)-sanctioned chili cook-off, International Barbecue Cookers Association (IBCA) barbecue cook-off and the bean cook-off. Sign up from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Sharkey’s Beach Club, 2600

Entry fees are $20 per team for the chili cook-off, $35 for the brisket, $15 each for pork spareribs and half a chicken, and $10 for the bean cook-off.

All cooking must be done on site.

The cooking and live music will continue Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Sharkey’s parking lot.

No admission is charged for spectators, who don’t have to stand by with mouths watering at the smell of all those tasty treats. For a donation that goes to the scholarship fund they can enjoy a sample.

First through third place will be awarded for chili, and ribbons will be awarded for fourth through 10th place. First place showmanship will receive a trophy and ribbon, and second and third will earn ribbons.

The People’s Choice trophy will be awarded to the chili team that raises the most money for the scholarship fund.

Chili cooks will be striving to earn points that will allow them to compete at the Terlingua Chili Cook-off.

First through third place trophies will be awarded in all three of the barbecue categories. Ribbons will be awarded for showmanship and for first through 10th’s places in all three of the barbecue categories.

A trophy will be awarded in the barbecue division for Grand Slam Best All-Around.

A People’s Choice trophy will also be presented in the barbecue division to the team that raises the most money for the scholarship fund.

A ribbon plus a cash pot will go to the first place bean-cooking team.

The team that travels the farthest to the competition will be recognized with a ribbon award.

Awards presentations in all three cooking categories will begin at 5:15 p.m.

The entertainment lineup during the cook-off will kick off Friday with Texas country music artist Stoney LaRue.

On Saturday, Victims of Circumstance will entertain from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. At 1:15 p.m., Blake Sparks and the Hoosker Doos will take the stage until 2:45 p.m.

Sarus will perform from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

The entertainment will move inside at 7 p.m., and the $7 cover charge will go to the scholarship fund. Music will be by Nick Burleson, Raspas and Robert Demel Experience.

The event provides scholarships in McCormick’s name for graduating seniors at Port Aransas High School. McCormick was owner of Sharkey’s and nightclubs around the state prior to his death in 2006.

For more information call 749- 4254.