BELLEVIEW, FL (352today.com) – The City of Belleview is proud to welcome Sheltering Hands, Inc. and its annual PAW Chili Challenge and Hub-Cat Car Show to Lake Lillian for the first time on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This event, benefiting Sheltering Hands’ mission to provide important services and care for cats, has officially moved to Belleview.

In an exciting development, the PAW Chili Challenge has received Regional Championship Designation from the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI), making it an official qualifier event for the prestigious Terlingua International Chili Championship. Competitors from across the southern United States are expected to bring their best recipes to Belleview, helping to elevate the city’s growing reputation as a hub for family events and culinary fun.

With the anticipated growth of cooks, organizers have partnered with the Holiday Inn & Suites Villages, located at 1205 Avenida Central, The Villages, FL 32159, to provide special discounted lodging rates for chili cooks, car show participants, and guests traveling to the event.

This year’s event features a chili competition, a car show, food trucks, vendors, and free family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon. Attendees can purchase $8 tasting bracelets to sample and vote for their favorite chili recipes, with proceeds supporting Sheltering Hands’ rescue, adoption, spay/neuter, and education programs serving their surrounding community.

Robert Vass, Community Engagement Liaison for the City of Belleview, expressed the City’s enthusiasm about hosting the event:

“We’re thrilled to welcome Sheltering Hands and the PAW Chili Challenge and Hub-Cat Car Show to Lake Lillian. It is a perfect fit for Belleview’s family-friendly atmosphere and our growing calendar of community events. Having CASI recognize it as a regional championship adds even more excitement, and our partnership with Holiday Inn & Suites Villages ensures that out-of-town guests have a comfortable, convenient place to stay while experiencing all that Belleview has to offer.”

Bronson Mosley, Partnership Director for Sheltering Hands, spoke about the organization’s decision to bring the event to Belleview and the power of collaboration:

“Moving the PAW Chili Challenge and Hub-Cat Car Show to Belleview marks a new chapter for us. Lake Lillian offers the perfect setting for families, food lovers, and car enthusiasts to come together to celebrate with our Partners in Animal Welfare. With the City’s support, our local partners, and CASI’s regional recognition, we’re excited to expand the event’s reach and impact. This partnership-driven approach helps us raise awareness and funds that directly benefit cats in our community.”

April LeSage, Executive Director of Sheltering Hands, added:

“We couldn’t be more excited to host this event in Belleview. The PAW Chili Challenge and Hub-Cat Car Show has always been about bringing people together for good food, great fun, and a greater cause. Every tasting bracelet sold helps fund medical care, spay/neuter services, and adoptions. Partnering with the City of Belleview and the Holiday Inn & Suites Villages allows us to welcome more visitors and grow our mission even further. It’s heartwarming to see our community rally around this event year after year.”

Those wishing to participate can register to compete as a chili cook, enter a vehicle in the car show, or apply as a vendor by visiting shelteringhands.org/pawshow.

Local businesses interested in taking part in the day as a sponsor should contact Bronson Mosley at bronson@shelteringhands.org.