SNOWMASS VILLAGE — The Aspen area’s summer festival season will kick off with Snowmass Village’s fifth annual Chili Pepper & Brew Fest, June 6-8.

In addition to the International Chili Society’s Front Range District Chili Cook-Off, featuring competitions in green and red chilis and salsa, and 40 microbreweries facing off in a beer competition — the festival features three days of music.

Headlining on June 6 is reggae singer Stephen Marley. A son of reggae legend Bob Marley, and a member of his brother’s Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers, Stephen emerged as an artist with last year’s Grammy-winning album, “Mind Control.” Also on the bill for June 6 are rapper Lyrics Born, whose new CD, “Everywhere at Once,” is scheduled for release later this month; and turntablist DJ Harry.

June 7 features two iconic New Orleans acts: pianist-singer Dr. John, and the Neville Brothers, the funk act featuring four members of the Neville family. The bill is rounded out by pianist Henry Butler.

The musical lineup for June 8 has yet to be announced.

Festival tickets, available to all ages, are $15 for Friday, June 6 and for $20 for Saturday, June 7. A ticket provides access to the concerts and festival fun. Chili tastings, foods and beverages are available for purchase. Also available is a party pass (for those age 21 and older), priced at $25 for Friday, June 6 and $30 for Saturday, June 7. The party pass provide access to concerts and festival fun, plus chili tastings and microbrew sampling.

Events on Sunday, June 8 are free. All festival events take place on Fanny Hill at Snowmass, rain or shine.

For tickets, go to snowmasschiliandbrew.com.

<b>THE SCHEDULE</b>
<b>Friday, June 6</b>
1 p.m. — Chili verde cooking begins
2 p.m. — Traditional red chili cooking begins
3-4:45 p.m. — Music: DJ Harry
4 p.m. — Chili verde delivered to judge
5-6:30 p.m. — Music: Lyrics Born
5-7 p.m. — Seasonal brews sampling (party pass holders only), People’s Choice chili tasting
5 p.m. — Traditional red chili delivered to judges
6:45 p.m. — Best summer ale 2007 winners announced, chili cook-off winners announced
7-8:30 p.m. — Music: Stephen Marley
9 p.m. — Venue closes

<b>Saturday, June 7</b>
10 a.m. — Chili verde cooking begins
11 a.m. — Traditional red chili cooking begins
1 p.m. — Chili verde delivered to judges; salsa delivered to judges
2 p.m. — Traditional red chili delivered to judges
2:30-5 p.m. — People’s Choice chili tastings
2-5 p.m. — Grand Beer Tasting (party pass holders only)
3-4:30 p.m. — Music: The Wildbirds
4:30 p.m. — Chili cook-off winners announced
5-6:30 p.m. — Music: The Neville Brothers
7-8:30 p.m. — Music: Dr. John
9 p.m. — Venue closes

<b>Sunday, June 8</b>
Noon — Locals chili cook-off begins
1-5:30 p.m. — Music: (to be announced)
2 p.m. — People’s Choice chili tastings and voting; locals home brew competition
4 p.m. — Chili cook-off and home brew contest winners announced
6 p.m. — Event ends