Even with summer heat on the horizon, the forecast this weekend in Ocean Beach calls for chili weather. The 31st annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival — predicted to draw as many as 70,000 funseekers throughout the day — takes wing Saturday, June 26 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. primarily along the 4800-5000 blocks of Newport Avenue, the OB Pier and Abbott Street. “Our fair is free and parking is free and the shuttles are free,” said Ocean Beach MainStreet Association Executive Director Denny Knox. “You can bring the whole family, and you only spend what you are going to spend on vendor booths and in local stores.” Things get started with the event’s tastiest tradition — the chili cook-off. Three teams have been added to the competition for a total of 28, and all competing recipes can be tasted with $10 tickets that go on sale at 10 a.m. Individual tasting tickets will also be available for $1. “That has always been a big concern — people racing here to get the chili,” Knox said. Street fairgoers who miss out on the chili competition itself can satisfy their hunger with a $2 bowl of “committee chili” prepared by Shades Oceanfront Bistro. Those looking for different fare should have their pick. New food items include shrimp Creole, red beans and rice, pork tacos, ribs and healthy and vegan options. Also new this year is a relaxation area in the parking lot behind Winston’s Beach Club, taking the place of last year’s teenage fun area. Knox said this area will give people a chance to take a minute away from the bustle of Newport Avenue. “We’re going to have a climbing wall, tables and chairs for people to sit at,” Knox said. “If you want to take a load off, that’s the place to go.” In a move that will please the art lovers out there, the street fair’s Artists’ Alley has expanded. Knox said the area that is filled with unique creations and demonstrations is about one-third larger than it has ever been. “Along Cable Street — from Santa Monica Avenue all the way to Niagra Avenue — that’s all going to be artists,” Knox said. “That should be really, really fun to see a lot of new artists in here. We always have to turn down so many of them that we decided to expand the area.” As usual, unique vendors will fill Newport Avenue with all variety of gifts and goods. Knox said there are a handful of new vendors this year. “It never ceases to amaze me how many vendors have these little businesses,” Knox said. Other highlights of the fair are five stages of music, including a 92107 stage dedicated to OB musicians, a skateboard demonstration from Ocean Beach Skate and Surf Shop, a Wonderland children’s area, a community mural project and a raffle to help pay for the Fourth of July community fireworks show off the Ocean Beach Pier. The 21-and-up crowd will get a chance to quench thirsts at the Beachside Beer Garden and at Liquorland near the main stage. “There aren’t very many events where the main stage has a backdrop of the ocean,” Knox said. “It’s really fun to be in the beer garden, watching the stage and seeing the waves and the pier.” To accommodate the crowds along Newport Avenue during the street fair, a fourth trolley has been added this year. “If you’re from outside Ocean Beach or live in north Ocean Beach, definitely take the trolley,” Knox said. “Save your feet so you can walk the whole fair.” Four trolleys will run continuously from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., picking up every half hour at two locations: the Sunrunner Lot on the corner of Pacific Highway and SeaWorld Drive, and at the entrance to Robb Field on the corner of West Point Loma Boulevard and Bacon Street. The trolleys will stop at Santa Monica Avenue and Cable Street. TASTE THE TRADITION • When: Saturday, June 26, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. • Where: Primarily along Newport Avenue, Abbott Street and the OB Pier • Crowd: An estimated attendance of 70,000 annually • Highlights: Five music stages, a beer garden and Liquorland, Wonderland children’s area, Artists’ Alley, chili cook-off in the grass area near the sea wall.