PARIS — Those attending the annual Business Showcase and Chili Chowder Contest this weekend can network and explore the businesses and organizations of Oxford Hills, judge tasty treats and do some holiday shopping.

The fourth annual event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, and put on by the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce with help from signature sponsor Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice. SCORE and Wal-Mart are co-sponsoring the Chili Chowder Contest, which is in its third year.

Business networking will be from 9 to 10 a.m. in the gymnasium of Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School at 256 Main St.. The free event will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We’re excited about it,” John Williams, executive director of the chamber, said from his office Monday morning. “It will be very inclusive. People will be able to come in and not only browse through all the vendor booths, but also be able to go to the chili and chowder. . . . The reason that we do is because it’s a great opportunity to provide the community of the Oxford Hills … all of the different products and services that are available to them right here in our communities — in the 13 communities we represent.”

He said that’s why the event is run as a true business showcase for the community and not just a business-to-business networking event. Those are not successful in this area, he said.

Williams promises a diverse sampling of vendors and organizations at the showcase, with more than 70 signed up so far. There will be retailers, manufacturers, automobile dealers, nonprofit organizations, ski industry representatives, health care organizations and Central Maine Community College. Thre will be business organizations such as Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments and small businesses such as Dave’s Small Engine Repair.

There will be three auto dealers outside in the high school parking lot, so make sure not to miss those, he said.

“It’s always amazing to me, people will come through (and say,) ‘I didn’t realize that this business was here or this organization services this area,’” Jennifer Boenig, assistant to the chamber director, said. “So it’s nice that we can let the community know exactly what is here for (them) whether it’s retail, business resources, community resources. And it gives the businesses a chance . . . to get in front of a different customer and potentially create new repeat customers.”

The Chili Chowder Contest runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Taste-testing all of the food from nine different vendors costs $5 per person. The Olde Mill Tavern in Harrison won the People’s Choice and Judges’ Choice categories for chili last year. The Progress Center of Norway swept the best chowder categories. Both want to hold on to those titles in this year’s contest, Boenig said.

The timing is right for this part of the event, Williams said.

“Of course it’s a great time of the year to do the Chili Chowder Contest because it’s October. It’s going to be a very cool weekend this weekend,” he said.

People and judges can vote on their favorite chili and chowder. The winners will be announced around 1 p.m. but tasting will go on until 1:30 p.m., Boenig said.

“Last year, what ended up happening is when we made the announcement that triggered people to want to go back and try it, if they hadn’t tried it yet,” she said. “It makes the whole gym smell so good.”

In addition to the plethora of literature available to attendees, some retailers will have their wares for sale. That way, people can start shopping for the holidays.

“That’s what I did last year,” Boenig said.

There’s also plenty of door prizes for attendees to cash in on. They include greens fees for golfing at the Bethel Inn, a remote-control car from Goodwin Chevrolet, trail passes from Carters’ X-C Ski Center and certificates from Swett Signs. People just need to sign up at the chamber’s table and the prizes will be given away throughout the day.

“We just really hope people will come,” Williams said. “It gives a good overview of our business community for both profit and nonprofit.”

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