Those who like it hot will be pleased to know the annual Suffolk Chili & BBQ Fest is returning to Bennett’s Creek Park next Saturday, May 11.

From 2 to 5:30 p.m., chili lovers can feast on fresh chili, and barbecue, coleslaw, beer, soda and water will also be available.

In its sixth year, the Bennett’s Creek SERTOMA Club event raises money toward special equipment for hearing- and speech-impaired children.

“We have two fundraisers, a golf tournament in September, then we have this event,” said Bryan Kenny, club president.

“We basically raise money to help hearing- and speech-impaired children in the area with things like hearing aids and special equipment.”

The club purchases equipment for children attending Suffolk public schools, he said. “I have stuff here now waiting for them to pick up.”

The club, currently with 28 members, started the event as a chili cook-off, Kenny said. “We would have teams compete against each other for prize money,” he said. “The problem was, we weren’t getting enough teams to come in, and so we switched to the club doing all the cooking.”

While club members cook the chili, the barbecue will be from Doughtie’s Barbecue, Kenny said.

Entertainment and activities lined up for the event include live music from More Cowbell, a member of which is also a SERTOMA member; corn hole; and especially for kids, a jump house, an inflatable slide and face painting.

“It’s a very child-friendly event, a great one to bring your whole family along to,” Kenny said. “Bring lawn chairs and make a day of it.”

While the weather has been unseasonably dreary of late, Kenny is hoping for sunshine on May 11. The event has always been blessed with good weather, he said.

Tickets for the event, selling for $20 per person, are available in advance at America’s Best Storage, 5488 Nansemond Parkway; Bennett’s Creek Heating and Air Conditioning, 120 Brittany Lane; Bon Vivant, 1901 Governors Pointe Drive, and Knot Hole Station, 3129 Kings Highway. Children 12 and under are free with each purchased ticket.

For more information, visit www.bcsertomaclub.org or call 538-2153.