Each year the City of Oshkosh comes together to present the annual Downtown Chili Cook-Off. This event was founded in 2012 in hopes of continuing to support the Day-By-Day Warming Shelter in Downtown Oshkosh. Make a difference with us on National Make a Difference Day by participating in a community building event that gives back to its community.
Our community bands together to enjoy this community building event by participating in: supporting those in need, exploring unique chili samples, awarding crowd favorites, partaking in children’s activities, enjoying the LAST outdoor Farmer’s Market of the year, taking advantage of one day sales & specials downtown, and lastly many of us come to simply enjoy the company of our friends, family, neighbors and community!
We hope you will join us this year, Saturday October 26th, to experience unique chili samples from talented amateur teams, and to assist in continuing to grow our downtown community. Please explore our website to learn more about this annual fun fall event!
With more than 30 different amateur chili cook-off teams, we invite you to explore the many options for a fun fall favorite – a traditional dish for many, chili! The public loves tasting the wide variety of chili samples and enjoys voting on favorites. Last year this event was host to an array of surprisingly, yet tasty offerings such as: a pineapple chili, vegan chili, meat lovin’ chili and MANY more chili samples!
Our chili cook-off competition takes place ALL day Saturday. This year the date is Saturday October 26th. The chili teams may begin setting up their tents and decorating everything as early as 7:00 am, with cooking starting at 8:30 am. These talented amateur teams spend hours prepping for public sampling, as everything must be prepared & cooked on site! As you stroll around downtown in the late hours of the morning you are sure to smell some wonderful aromas coming from the various chili tents. Teams also prepare a relevant dip for those early spectators – a salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, or anything else imaginable to the creative chef(s)! Already itching to bring your own awesome chili dish – register here!
Also in the morning, the public enjoys an extended Farmer’s Market day, as this is the LAST day of the Summer session market! The Farmer’s Market runs as it usually does from 8:00 am – 12:30 pm.
Amateur Judges will be on site awarding in categories of the “Best Traditional Chili”, “Specialty Chili”, and a “5 Alarm Chili”. The judge tasting takes place at 11:45 am JUST before sampling is open to the public. Chili sampling is then open to all at HIGH NOON. Last year chili samples ended as early as 12:45 pm, as this event was a major hit and many teams had run out of their samples by this time completely! We encourage you to get here on time – if you want to sample the best, the most unique, and everything in between.
We can’t forget to mention – during the day select kid’s activities will be in full swing on site, micros brews & brews alike will be available at the beer tent, as well as a live DJ! We invite you to come Downtown and join us on what is sure to be a great Saturday! Support our local Warming Shelter, as this Saturday is NATIONAL MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY! We hope to see you there!
For more information on the details of this event please visit our Event Details page!
Admission
Adults: $8
Children age 6-12: $4
Children 6 and younger: free
Each year the chili cook off takes over the Opera House Square right downtown, our event always takes place on National Make a Difference Day (October 26th this year). For any confusion please see our map below. Parking will be tight – expect delays, and please be courteous to others, especially foot traffic. The Farmer’s Market will be taking place in the morning, and our event will begin around 8:00 am – extending into the early afternoon.
October 26
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Opera House Square
300 Block of Main Street
Oshkosh, WI 54901
