Chilifest

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Contestants

STEP ONE | REGISTER FOR YOUR ICS MEMBERSHIP

ChiliFest is the International Chili Society’s sanctioned West Virginia State Championship. All cooks in the national competition must be current ICS members in good standing or register to be an ICS member before cooking.

ICS membership fees are: $45 for one year, $25 for three cookoffs, or $10 for a single day.

If you intend to participate only in People’s Choice competitions, this step isn’t required.

For ICS members, the entry costs are: $40 for Red Chili, $35 for Chili Verde, and $30 for Homestyle Chili. People’s Choice (Non-ICS Community Teams) entry fees are $175 for a half-tent and $100 for quarter-tent. To enter the Youth Division (Homestyle chili only), the cost is $5. ICS membership is not required for youth entries.

Register for your ICS Membership

STEP TWO | CHILIFEST REGISTRATION

To participate in ChiliFest as an ICS member, contestants must submit an application through the ICS website. However, those who only want to compete in the People’s Choice awards do not need to fill out the ICS application or be ICS members. Contestants can register for the ICS competition, the People’s Choice competition, or both. To be eligible for both types of awards, contestants must select the corresponding options and pay the associated fees during registration.

Please note that ICS membership fees are separate and will not be reflected in this form.

See a list of frequently asked questions at the bottom of this form for clarification.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Is it required to fill out both the form above and the ICS website application to participate?

    If you intend to compete as an ICS member, yes. If you only intend to be eligible for People’s Choice awards and are not an ICS member, no.

  • Do you need to be an ICS member to be eligible for People’s Choice awards?

    No.

  • If I register in the ICS competition, am I automatically eligible for People’s Choice awards?

    Yes.

  • Do I have to pay for an ICS Membership to compete in Chilifest?

    An ICS Membership is required to participate in the Red, Verde, and Homestyle categories. However, it is not required for the People’s Choice categories.

  • What are the entry fees?

    Chilifest entry fees range from $30-100, depending on the category. ICS categories (Red, Verde, and Homestyle) also require an ICS membership, which may require additional fees.

All cooking teams should plan to arrive starting at 8:00 am, Saturday, October 12th to set up. You will need to enter the cookoff area at 3rd Avenue by way of 8th Street and come to the Registration/Judging Tent to register. Please unload your equipment after registration and move your vehicle outside the cookoff area to one of the parking garages or other nearby lots. Vehicles should be out of the cookoff area no later than 9:30 am. A reminder that any vehicle parked in the Pullman Square street area is subject to towing.

Same-day registration is limited due to tent space. To guarantee your registration, online/pre-registration is recommended. Registration will begin at 8:00 am and end at 9:30 am at the Registration/Judging Tent on 3rd Avenue and 8th Street. You will have a pre-assigned tent and cooking area. Tables are provided in all assigned cooking locations. At the registration area you will receive your official ICS judging cup(s) and hospitality kit. Verification of ICS membership will take place at registration. Please be ready to present your current ICS membership card when registering and you must sign the cook’s roster. ICS cooks will need to register with the ICS before Saturday, October 12th for the categories you will be competing in. You can pay for those at the registration tent on the morning of October 12th.

All chili will be turned in at the Judging Tent area. Turn-in times are:

  • Traditional Red Chili – 3:00 pm
  • Chili Verde – 1:30 pm
  • Homestyle Chili – 12 noon
  • Youth Division Homestyle – 12 noon
 

Judging will follow International Chili Society guidelines. The judges’ decision will be final and announced on the stage side at approximately 5:30 pm. If you are interested in volunteering as a judge, contact us.

All chili will be turned in at the Judging Tent area. Turn-in times are:
  • Traditional Red Chili – 3:00 pm
  • Chili Verde – 1:30 pm
  • Homestyle Chili – 12 noon
  • Youth Division Homestyle – 12 noon
Judging will follow International Chili Society guidelines. The judges’ decision will be final and announced on the stage side at approximately 5:30 pm. If you are interested in volunteering as a judge, contact us.

See “Official Contestant Rules and Regulations” found on your official ICS website at chilicookoff.com.

Stoves will need to be of a “Coleman” camping type, which means fuel or propane stoves, no charcoal grills and electricity is not available for cooking. We will provide tent space and tables for all registered participants. Registered participants will be considered those applicants who have pre-paid the ICS membership fee and the ChiliFest registration fee.

 

The following are the general guidelines by the Cabell County Health Department for outdoor events. If you have any questions you may contact them at (304) 523-6483 and ask for Environmental Health. The following minimum guidelines are for food safety:

  • All raw meat products must be prepared in advance and arrive on-site at a temperature below 41 F. This means no slicing, dicing, cutting, chopping, etc. of raw meat products.
  • Foods must be protected from contamination as much as possible at all times. Pots must have lids. The public must not have access to the product until it is ready to serve.
  • All service will be with single service bowls and/or plates.
  • All food products must be from an approved source.
  • The food preparation area must be covered with a canopy or top covering.
  • All potentially hazardous foods, unless being prepared, must be kept either cold, 41 F or lower, or hot, 135 F or higher.
  • Hair must be restrained with a hat, sweatband, or tied back.
  • Hand cleansing stations or wipes must be present and used. Hand sanitizer used.
  • Sanitizing solutions must be used to clean all preparation surfaces before and after use.
 

You may go to the following link for the complete guidelines provided by the West Virginia Department of Health for food safety.

Prizes will be awarded for all of the following categories of judging:

ICS Red Chili:

  • 1st Place: $1,500 cash, WV Grand Champion Blenko Glass trophy, representation of West Virginia at the 2024 ICS World’s Chili Championship
  • 2nd Place: $300 cash and a Blenko Glass trophy
  • 3rd Place: $200 cash and a Blenko Glass trophy
  • 4th Place: Blenko Glass trophy
  • 5th Place: Blenko Glass trophy
 

Chili Verde:

  • 1st Place: $700 cash and a Blenko Glass trophy, representation of West Virginia at the 2024 ICS World’s Chili Championship
  • 2nd Place: $200 cash and a Blenko Glass trophy.
  • 3rd Place: $100 cash and a Blenko Glass trophy.
 

Homestyle:

  • Homestyle is a no-holds-barred category of chili made the way many would make at home with beans added as an ingredient. It can be spicy, sweet, tomato-based, any meat, delicious chili, but must have beans to compete. If you’ve never cooked as a competitor in an ICS event here’s your entry opportunity to cook whatever you like to enter.
  • 1st Place: $250 cash, Blenko glass trophy, and representation of West Virginia at the 2024 ICS World’s Chili Championship
  • 2nd Place: $100 cash, Blenko glass trophy
  • 3rd Place: $50 cash and a Blenko glass trophy
 

Youth Division Homestyle:

  • Must be between the ages of 6 to 17 years of age. This is the youths’ time to shine and make their own cooking decisions. Youth cooks must prepare their chili with adult supervision, but not adult participation. Adults cannot taste the youth’s chili, but may have other youth ages 17 and under taste their chili.
  • 1st Place: $100 cash and representation of West Virginia at the 2024 ICS World’s Chili Championship
 

Best Booth/Showmanship Award:

  • The Showmanship Award will be given to the team that best displays the spirit of the event. Each booth will be judged in three criteria: Booth Display, Costume & Spirit. The points will be tallied for a final score to determine the winner. The decision of the judges is final.
 

People’s Choice / “Hardest Working Chili Team”:

  • This award goes to the team that sells the most People’s Choice chili and collects the greatest number of sample tickets. The prize is $150 and a Blenko Glass Golden Chile trophy. Details of where and when to turn in your tickets of the judging count will be announced at the Cooks Meeting at 10:00 a.m.
 

Delta Hotels Downtown Huntington is offering our Chilifest Cooks a special discounted rate. Rate good through Friday, October 11, 2024 – Sunday, October 13, 2024. Last Day to Book: Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Click here for more information or to book your stay. Visit the Huntington Area CVB for lodging information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What are the dates and hours of the festival?

    Chilifest is September 27, 2025. Please check back in fall 2025 for event schedule information.

  • How can I purchase tickets?

    Chili sample tickets are sold for $1 each, and are available at the event along with RAV4 raffle tickets. Tickets can also be purchased online at Ronald McDonald House and picked up prior to the event.

  • Where do I buy sample tickets?

    Chili sample and RAV4 raffle tickets are available online and can be picked up at the Ronald McDonald House of Huntington. You can also purchase sample and raffle tickets at multiple tents throughout Chilifest on the day of the event.

  • What types of activities and entertainment are available at the festival?

    Our schedule of events is updated yearly and includes a list of Chilifest events, performances, and activities.

  • Is there parking available?

    Parking is available in Pullman Square and parking meters throughout the downtown area.

  • Can I be a judge?

    Click here for details.

  • Are there any age restrictions or requirements for attending?

    There are no age restrictions for attendees, this is a family-friendly event.

  • Can I bring my own food and drinks?

    Yes, you can but don’t forget we have chili and drink stations.

  • Are there accommodations nearby for overnight stays?

    Information about nearby hotels can be found here.

  • Where is the festival located?

    Downtown Huntington, WV. The streets are closed on 3rd Avenue, from 8th Street to 10th Street for the festival.

  • Can I register to compete the same day of the event?

    Yes. However, we strongly suggest registering prior to event day as there is limited tent space. Same-day registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Can I bring my pet to the festival?

    Yes, pets are allowed. Your furry friend must be kept on a leash at all times. Owners are usually responsible for cleaning up after their pets and properly disposing of any waste in designated receptacles.