Chili cook-off returns to downtown Belleville this weekend. Come hungry
The 41st annual Belleville Chili Cook-Off returns to downtown Belleville for two days chock-full of chili, live entertainment and an all-around good time.
So bring your appetites because this year’s event features nearly 50 vendors. That’s a lot of chili.
Festivities include the annual Chili Chase 5K and Kids’ Pepper Dash on Saturday.
The 5K starts and ends at East Main and Church streets at 9 a.m. and will be immediately followed by the kids’ run at 10 a.m. Kids ages 12 and under will dash down East Main Street from Church Street to Charles Street and back.
Registration for each event is open until 9 a.m. Saturday.
As for the rest of the festival, here’s the schedule from the Belleville Chili Cook-Off website:
Friday, Oct. 10
- 11 a.m. — Festival opens
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — The Nitpickers (Main Stage)
- 3:15 p.m. — Chili Judging (St. Clair County Annex Building)
- 4:30-7:30 p.m. — Breakdown Shakedown (Main Stage)
- 7:15 p.m. — Souvenir stand and token booths close
- 7:30 p.m. — Beer stands close
- 8 p.m. — Festival closes
Saturday, Oct. 11
- 9 a.m. — Chili Chase 5K & Kids’ Pepper Dash
- 11 a.m. — Festival opens
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Raised on Radio (Main Stage)
- 4:45 p.m. — Chili Cook-Off Awards (Main Stage)
- 5-7:45 p.m. — McLovin’ (Main Stage)
- 7:15 p.m. — Souvenir stand and token booths close
- 7:30 p.m. — Beer stands close
- 8 p.m. — Festival closes
Participating Vendors
Plenty of food vendors will be at the event, most of them offering chili — red, white, chicken, beef, veggie. Other available foods will include appetizer-style eats, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, ice cream and much more.
- Beast Craft BBQ Co.
- Ellis Grove Fire Department
- Ehret, Inc.
- BOS-Metro East Banking Center
- The Spud Shack
- Keller Williams Pinnacle
- The EDGE
- JS and Sons Contracting
- Dizon’s Food
- Truman’s Best
- Cold Stone Creamery
- Filipino Sari-Sari Store
- Living Hope
- Gaslight Vinyl
- Beckett’s Kick Chili
- Roy-el Catering
- St. Clair Co. Sheriff Dept. F.O.P. Lodge #148
- Florida Roasted Corn
- St. Clair County Bar Foundation
- MiHungry BBQ
- The Red Apron
- Kona Ice
- Casa Maria To Go
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Boy Scout Troop 553
- Serendipity Food & Beverage Concessions
- Brazil’s Catering & Vending
- Chaos Sushi Bar & Grill
- Lincoln Theatre/Abe’s Popcorn
- St. George’s Episcopal Church
- Delicious Bites
- Cros & Mos BBQ
- Tivanov Catering
- Rosie Bell’s Catering
- Job’s Daughter Bethel #24
- Chef Lyfe Catering
- Belleville Fire Fighters Local 53
- Diana’s Concession
- Southern Smoke Catering
- Oates Associates
- Ragan Kettle Corn
- Copper Fire
- AllStar Carpet & Upholstery Care
- Mica Cox Signature Events
- Abby’s
- Grüv
- River’s Bend Concessions
About the Belleville Chili Cook-Off
Belleville Chili Cook-Off was first held in 1983 and is hosted by the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce.
The 41st annual Belleville Chili Cook-Off takes place 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 10-11.
The event is free to attend and open to the public.
Tokens are required to purchase beer/adult beverages and will be available at booths located on the north side of the fountain and at the corner of East Main and Jackson streets.
Cash is needed to purchase tokens, chili, other food items and non-alcoholic beverages. Prices will vary by vendor. ATMs will be available near the token stands.
For more information, visit bellevillechili.com or check out the Facebook page.
