Ice fishing for perch and steaming hot chili will be the orders of the day Saturday at the Glen Arbor Winterfest celebration.

First up is the perch contest. According to Bob Johnson, who works for Bob Smith at the Sportsman Shop in Glen Arbor, about 20 people have signed up so far. The contest officially runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and all perch must be caught on Glen Lake, big or little.

All perch considered for entry must be brought to the Sportsman Shop by 1 p.m. People may enter the contest as late as 7 a.m. Saturday at the Sportsman Shop. Application forms can be picked up there, or visit www.visitglenarbor.com to download one. The entry fee is $10.

“We only have 20 applications so far, but at least 50 people have said they plan to enter, so we’re going to have a good turnout,” Johnson said. The shop is anticipating a field of 70 to 100 contestants.

Last year, 61 anglers vied for the top prizes. First place will go to the largest perch determined by length. In the event of a tie, the weight of the fish will be used. First place wins 50 percent of the entry fees, with second winning 30 percent, third 20 percent, and fourth a $50 gift certificate from Art’s Tavern.

The day also features the Winterfest Chili Cook-Off contest, which begins at noon and runs until the chili is gone. Bonnie Nescott, who with husband Tim Barr owns and operates Art’s Tavern, said there are 22 entries for this year’s contest, up from 18 last year. The deadline for entering was Friday. Each person or group entering the contest must provide at least five gallons of chili, at least one server, a gas warmer and serving utensils, a sign identifying the chili, and clean-up when the contest is over.

“We also encourage people to wear costumes and use props,” Nescott said. Last year’s tasting brought in a record crowd of 325 tasters. Nescott is hoping for a similar turnout Saturday.

Net proceeds from entry fees for the cook off support the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce’s Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships for students at Glen Lake High School. The 2007 event raised $1,000 for the scholarship fund.

The weather should be favorable for perch fishers and chili tasters. The forecast for Saturday is for mostly cloudy conditions with a high in the upper 20s.