Members of the Escalon American Legion Post 263 are staying busy, with a community dinner this month and the Veterans Day parade and ceremonies next month.

First up, the annual Chili Cook Off hosted by the Post is on the schedule for this coming Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Post rooms, 1531 Second St., beginning at 5 p.m.

The community dinner is served several times during the year and October traditionally is the chili cook off, with entries from a number of local residents. A panel of judges will be tasked with sampling all of the entries and determining the winner. Last year honors were presented to first, second and third place chili chefs.

Also, the Post members are making plans for the annual Veterans Day festivities and are currently looking for more parade entries. The parade is scheduled for a 10:30 a.m. start on Tuesday, Nov. 11 and will line up on Coley Avenue before heading toward First Street, turning from there on to Main Street.

Parade applications are due by Friday, Oct. 31 and can be mailed in to American Legion Post 263, Attn: Veterans Day Parade, P.O. Box 596, Escalon, CA 95320.

You can also contact Parade Coordinator Barbara Willis at 209-838-6471 for more information.

Following the parade, there will be a Memorial Ceremony at the Escalon Community Center Memorial Wall beginning at 11:30 a.m.; a barbecued chicken lunch will then be available from noon to 3 p.m.

Lunch tickets are $15 and will be available at the door or pre-sale by contacting Fallon Nunes at 209-484-3641.

Serving as Commander for the Escalon American Legion Gustafson-Thompson Post is Mike Christensen and first Vice Commander is Curtis Vaughn. Second Vice Commander and Honor Guard Coordinator is Vince Giovaniello, Adjutant is Fallon Nunes, with Casey Den Ouden serving as Chaplain and Al Bellinger coordinating the Color Guard.