The 38th annual Chili Cook-Off hits Belleville this weekend. See what’s on the schedule
I swear it’s all party, party, party in downtown Belleville this time of year (not that I’m complaining).
We had Oktoberfest a few weeks back, Pride Fest last weekend, and this week we again welcome the annual Chili Cook-Off.
So bust out the Fritos, extra cheese and peanut butter (what, is that just me then?) and prepare to test the variety of chilis from nearly 50 participating vendors and pick your favorites.
The event will run along Main Street from First Street, where the Main Stage will be, to Church Street. A map of the vendor locations (and beer booths) can be found on the event’s website.
(By the way, if anyone is serving up some vegan chili, I’d really like to know. Thanks in advance!)
In addition to the delicious food, the weekend will be filled with plenty of live music (so you can dance off all that chili you just ate) and the Chili Chase 5k Run/Walk.
The Chili Chase is at 9 a.m. Saturday and starts at East Main and Church streets. A map of the route is available on the Chili Cook-Off website.
The Kids Pepper Dash also takes place Saturday and starts at 10:30 a.m.
Online registration for each race is open until 8:30 a.m. (Chili Chase) and 9 a.m. (Pepper Dash) Saturday, Oct. 8.
As for the rest of the weekend’s festivities, here’s this year’s schedule:
Friday, Oct. 7
11 a.m. – Festival opens
Noon – Fanfare, Main Stage
3:15 p.m. – Chili Judging (vendors and judges only), St. Clair County Annex Building
6 p.m. – The Z Band, Main Stage
9:30 p.m. – Souvenir stand and token booths close
10 p.m. – Beer stands close
10:30 p.m. – Festival closes
Saturday, Oct. 8
9 a.m. – Chili Chase 5K Run/Walk
11 a.m. – Festival opens
11 a.m. – Stompbox & the Mixtapes, Main Stage
1 p.m. – Rachel Deschaine, Main Stage
5 p.m. Chili Cook-Off Awards, Main Stage
6 p.m. Burning Bridges Band, Main Stage
9:30 p.m. – Souvenir stand and token booths close
10 p.m. – Beer stands close
10:30 p.m. – Festival closes
For more info about the Belleville Chili Cook-Off, visit bellevillechili.com.
This story was originally published October 7, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
