Big things are happening in the City of Linden. You need look little further than its upcoming Chilly Fest to see that.

The still budding festival has been featured in Southern Living’s “December in The South” as being one of the South’s top Events for December.

This is quite an honor for both the city and its leadership. Especially considering that another significant holiday event is taking place the week before just north of the Bouge: Demopolis’ Christmas on the River.

Linden will ring in its holiday season Dec. 11-12 at ChiLLy Fest 2010. Events will include caroling, a tree lighting, arts, crafts and food vendors, the Christmas Parade of Lights, ChiLLy Chili Run, ChiLLy Car Show and the Christmas Chili Cook-off.

Being a chili-lover, the cookoff is my favorite. I wish I had a chili recipe worth entering the competition. I love a good competition as much as I love good chili.

All events take place downtown that Friday and Saturday. The Christmas Parade of Lights will consist of upwards of 30 floats and other attractions. The Christmas Chili Cook-off takes place on Saturday at the B. W. Creel Fire Station.

If you have an interest in taking part in this festival, or are just a chili-head in need of more information, call 334-295-5051.

Congratulations and thank you are due to the leadership of the City of Linden and to organizers of the ChiLLy Fest.

Such recognition is hard to come by but it will play a key role in the growth of the festival for years to come.

Innovation and hard work are the foundation on which successful events like ChiLLy Fest, Christmas on the River and many others like them are built.

Countless volunteer hours are dedicated annual to the construction of floats, the hanging of lights and the organization of many other avenues of these events that make them such an attraction.

From the dedication of police and security to the business owners and civic leaders who sell and collect tickets, they each play a critical role in the development and implementation of events like these that make living in small town Alabama so special.

If you’re not an avid Southern Living reader, I would still encourage you to stop by any local store and pickup a copy today.

You’ll find good news about your friends and neighbors on page 46, or as Southern Living lists it, AL2.

On a side note, I hope you each have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving and remember to shop local for your Christmas presents.

Jason Cannon is the publisher of the Demopolis Times.