After a year off, the folks at the Onset Summer of Love are bringing their Chili Fest back, and this year, they’re adding chowder into the mix.

On February 21 at 7 p.m., the Onset Chili and Chowder Contest will be held at the Dudley Brown VFW to benefit the Onset Bay Association-sponsored “Onset Summer of Love Music Series,” which provides a free, weekly concert on Wednesday nights throughout the summer months at the Onset Band Shell.

As of now, no one’s signed up to enter the contest, but organizer Kat Jones is trying to get the word out to get people to enter.

“We’re in need of contestants,” said Jones, saying that in the past, she’s had around 15 contestants on average. “I’m really trying to reach out to get people to enter.”

Jones said the entry fee for the contest is $15, and participants can register for chili, chowder, or both, with a cash prize of $100 each for best overall chili and chowder. The contest is open to both individuals and restaurants.

“Plus, the winner gets bragging rights,” she said, with past winners including Bob Costello and Robert Dillon from the Little Red Smoke House in Carver. “Rumor has it that Bob (Costello) will be back.”

Jones decided to add chowder this year to get more people involved.

“In the past, there were just chili contests, but I thought this year, I'd try to increase attendance and just make it more fun,” said Jones. “Because not everyone likes chili, I guess.”

Through fundraising efforts like a GoFundMe page, sponsors, donations from attendees of the concerts, and a 50-50 raffle held at the concerts, Jones has been able to keep the events free of charge. The Chili and Chowder Contest is another event that helps to keep the music coming back to Onset.

Last year, she was able to raise $1,470 through the GoFundMe page, which will go towards paying for bands, securing a permit, and any other expenses of putting on the shows.

If nothing else, the contest, which will also feature a performance by local party rock band “Just Like That,” will provide a good time for people stuck in the doldrums of winter.

“It gives us something to do at the end of February. There’s not much to do around here,” she said, noting that though the contest isn’t their biggest fundraiser, it’s been mildly successful. “It’s raised a lot of awareness for our project.”

The contest will be judged by those who attend, and prizes will be given for “Hottest Chili” and “Best Presentation” among other sub-categories.

For more info, email onsetchilichowder@gmail.com, or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/399142170253202/. To donate to the Onset Summer of Love Music Series, visit http://www.gofundme.com/65b6ho. For an entry form for the contest, visit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1exKadou7gtBb_NF6dIOxWHSQ03CX0vwMCE9E4X872VQ/pub.

A $10 suggested donation will be collected at the door, and no advanced tickets will be sold.