We hope you enjoy your time at the chili cook-off. Parking is free; entry is free. There are bands playing all day and activities for the kids. In addition to chili tasting, vendors offer a variety of foods and for the adults we have a beer tent set up in the Railyard. The spaghetti and wing eating contests are free; they’re fun and you can win great prizes.

Cooks are here from a wide area, vying to win the competition, as the First place winners proceed to the International Championship in October. Once they have turned in their samples, you are welcome to purchase a tasting kit and sample their entries. The tasting kit is $5. Present your cup, and you will be given a small sample of each as you walk throughout the cooks area. 

The cooks cannot give out samples until they have turned in their entry, so at 12 NOON, you will be able to sample the Salsa entries. Beginning at 1 PM, you will be able to sample the Green Chili (Chili Verde), which is many folks’ favorite, as it is frequently less spicy than the Red.  At 2 PM you can sample the Red Chili; over 35 cooks will compete in this category.

You can also vote for your favorite chili by placing your ‘nut’ in that cook’s bottle. At the end of the day, the cook with the most ‘nuts’ will be crowned the ‘People’s Choice’ winner.

There is another competition today, the ‘Best Booth’ competition. We hope you enjoy the decorations and outfits worn by our competitors. This is a party, a festive day, and our cooks have traveled many miles to see their friends and enjoy their hobby. We hope you enjoy your day at the chili cook-off, sponsored by the Mount Airy Main Street Association and the 4 County Lions Club.