HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Last year the chili cook-off sponsored by the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce was part of the Wild West Extravaganza. This year the event is part of Frontier Days, one of the new festivals on the agenda for Pahrump. Pictured here is the cook-off crew for the Pahrump Valley Times. Left to right, they are Mary Ann Yorke, Holly Hernandez, Debbie Hayes, Sheryl Hamilton and Maxine Jordan. Advertisement

Every weekend seems to be jammed with things to do in and around Pahrump. This weekend is no different.

* The Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce has introduced several new festivals for public participation. The next event on the agenda, Frontier Days, starts today at 4 p.m. in Petrack Park.

Tonight's festivities will include a ranch dinner served outside. The menu includes roast pork, cowboy beans, roasted corn on the cob and a dinner roll. Adults eat for $5 and children under 10 eat for $3.

There will be a no-host bar.

There will be songs around the campfire, the Sun Country Cloggers will perform and it's a great evening to enjoy with the family.

* Tomorrow, Frontier days continues with the Chili Showdown which starts at 10 a.m. There's still time to enter the no-holds-barred competition.

Performances by the Sun Country Cloggers, local gunfighters, games for the kids, lariat roping contests and music by Dean West and the Smokin' Guns are all on tap throughout the day.

Get a tasting kit and be a part of the People's Choice Award for the best chili.

* The CMA Karaoke Finals are scheduled for 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Maverick.

Tickets are $5 at the door.

The 10 finalists are Nola Smith, Sharry Jimerfield, Shelley Banning, Guy Rich, Mike Braham, Mason Cowley, Robert Farr, Trudy Acton, Nicole Whitener and Crystal Gonzalez.

The contest has been a success, thanks to the participants and the bars hosting the event.

Judging has been by the numbers and percentages, so the show should be good. Each contestant competes with two songs and will be judged on overall performance and their voice.

* Speaking of talent, the Pahrump Arts Council is still accepting audition CDs for the Family Festival it hosts every year at Terrible's Lakeside RV Resort.

Auditions will be accepted until May 23, so get on it.

Call 751-8353 for more information.

* The Stand for Children and the Teacher of the Year Awards Luncheon will take place at Rosemary Clarke Middle School tomorrow at 11:30 a.m.

Tickets are $10.

* Next weekend is Memorial Day and now is the time to make plans to attend Jim Butler Days in Tonopah or the Gold Point Memorial Day celebration.