DAY VISITOR INFO
Entry: $20 per person, can be purchased at the gate! come & Go all weekend.
FOOD: Chili tasting cups are $1 each and you can sample & vote on the various chilis by the teams participating.
There are no food vendors on site, but some teams set out sample tables you can graze on. The Campground's general store on site has snacks, or Bring your own food!
FAQ'S
I've never been to this event, what do I need to do? Or, I come every year but still cant remember.....
Step 1 - Join our mailing list for reminders and to keep up to date, click here and follow us on social media.
Step 2 - Get a team together or cook solo and start perfecting that recipe (see rules)!
Step 3- Tell your workplace you need off. Don't ask, just tell.
Step 4 - Reserve your cabins at Jellystone Park in Waller, Texas to get the discount rates. The 2025 Discount Code will be displayed soon. You will need to bring your own towels and bedding.
Step 5- Get your theme and patriotic gear ready...outfits, decor for golf cart and cabin, team site.
We take this very seriously. We will look at you funny if you look too normal.
Do I have to stay all weekend if I want to cook & compete?
Nope, you can show up, pay the entry fee, head to the huge tent & buy your container. Find a spot to make your award winning dish and turn in your concoction at the designated turn in time. Stick around for the awards to see if you get a perdy trophy for your efforts.
Must I be present to win?
Not necessarily but we will talk a little shit after we call the winning number and no one is there to do the "awkward- winner-walk" to get the trophy. Make sure to write your phone number (legibly) on all your turn-ins if you plan to leave.
Is CWIC family friendly?
For sure! There’s tons of stuff for the kiddos to do. You can bring a bike, play Putt Putt, go fishing, there are several playgrounds, an activity center with crafts (sometimes an additional charge from the campground), movies at the amphitheater, and kids cook off categories!
I have purchased a pre-sale package, now what?
After you arrive at the event and get all set up you can head to the pavilion to grab your containers - hopefully someone will be there ready to hand them out, usually early afternoon on Friday, and 9:30am-ish on Saturday, really depends on hangover level (to be honest). There will be a list with your name on it and items purchased, but it wouldn't hurt to have that info ready on your side either for human error.
Okay so what do I do when I arrive?
At the entry gate make sure you know the name of the person who made the cabin reservation or if they have already checked in- the cabin number. Get your wristbands. Get all settled in Friday, you can put some stuff in the cooking arena to hold the space you want for your team, up to you. Get your golf cart (bring your License) . Then you can head to the pavilion to get your turn- in containers, t-shirts, what not...you can also get these items on Saturday. There will be raffle items set up in that area so check them out. Raffle is drawn just before awards on Saturday.
What's the weather usually like?
She's a moody-moody mistress. Pack a heavy coat and thermals and shorts and flip flops. Mud boots and rain gear can be a good idea too...we usually go through all the seasons of Texas in that one weekend, 100% serious. No Joking here, at many event weekends in the past we had shorts and sunscreen on Friday, and Saturday was freezing and wet. Don't get caught unprepared, you’ll be miserable!
What is the most common thing people forget to bring?
Pillows, sheets, towels, and blankets...you can rent them at the campground if you forget too. Extra towels always seem to be a blessing. Coffee filters are #2
Can I bring my own beer?
Of course you CAN, this IS AMERICA!...
Anything I can't bring?
The only thing you should leave at home is the drones...something about invasion of privacy. But we will have a film crew and event photographer soooooo there's that. Let them know if you don't want to be included in that.
What is there to do?
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If you want to cook you can set up a spot in the cooking areas, purchase category entries at the pavilion - we accept cash or credit/debit cards.
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Check out the raffle Items under the pavilion, enjoy music, let the kids go crazy in the many play areas.
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Enjoy the live music all day at the stage.
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Feel free to walk around and chat up the teams, they are very friendly and usually love to share tastings of their prize recipes.
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Participate in the Hot Shit Team Chili Tasting! You can purchase tasting cups at the pavilion that come with voting tickets to hand over to your favs! Voting ends at 3:45pm
Auction, raffle and Awards Ceremony start at about 5pm
CWIC Committee
Meet the group that puts on the event. We like good food, even better music, having a cold beverage or two, and supporting our veterans- so the Chili When It's Chilly Cook off was created! We are so proud of what this event has organically grown into to over the past (almost) 20 years. We would love for you to join us at our annual event in February. We promise if you come once- you'll come every year.
The Cause
Boot Campaign's Mission is to honor and restore the lives of veterans and military families through individualized life-improving programs. Your support of CWIC gives our service men & women access to treatments, therapies, and resources- cost free for any veteran and their family through Boot Campaign.
