Chili Cook Off on the Square

Hosted by the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Rain date – Sunday,October 25, 2015

Schedule of Events:

Chili Booth set up time: 9 to 10:30am

Chili judging by professional judges: 10:30 to 11:30 pm

Children’s costume contest registration –10-12 pm

Children’s costume contest (children 0-12 yrs) –12 -1 pm

Chili Cook Off – 11–2pm

Trick or Treating ‘round the Square (12 & under in costume) – 1-2 pm

Thank you for participating in this annual community event. The event draws over 1500 people from the community and is a great opportunity for you to increase awareness about your business or cause.

It also serves as a great team building event for your organization as they plan and work the event together.

Chili Cook Off participants are responsible for:

  • Securing your own sponsor to help with the cost of the booth, decorations and chili ingredients
  • Designating a charity to be the recipient of your Chili Cook Off funds , (or if your organization is a non-profit, designating a program in your organization that needs funding)
  • Making 15 gallons of the same recipe of chili and providing a non- electric way to keep the chili hot.Camp stoves or propane grills are 2 options. Please make sure that the cooker does not damage the grass around the Square.
  • Coordinating volunteers to help make your chili and work at your booth during the event
  • Building &/or decorating the 10’X10’ space that will be designated to your organization.

You will also need to supply an 8 foot table to stand behind while serving your chili.

  • Supplying any condiments needed for your chili such as sour cream or cheese.
  • Items needed for cleaning up your booth such as garbage bags & paper towels. Please remember to bring utensils to serve chili & chairs for your workers to sit in. Please leave your area clean following the event.
  • You are welcome to bring brochures or business cards to have on your table. This is a wonderful way to promote your business or organization to our community. This event traditionally has about 1500 attendees.

If your organizationpartners with a business, they may help you with any or all of the items listed above. FYI - A financial donation of $150.00 is usually sufficient to cover the expense of chili ingredients and decorations for the booth.

The Downtown LaGrange Development Authority will provide:

  • A 10’ X 10’ space for your booth on the Square & a map that shows your booth location several days prior to the event ( will be emailed to you )
  • An 8”X11” sign by your space that lists your organization/sponsor/charity information
  • Tasting cups, tasting spoons, napkins & To- Go bowls. Please pick up your supplies at the DLDA ticket tent when you arrive for booth set up.Extra supplieswill be available during the event at each of the DLDA ticket tents, located at the corners of the Square by the Chamber Plaza and An Affair to Remember.
  • A hole puncher for each booth. Each booth will be assigned a number and when a taster comes to your booth, please have someone punch your booth number on the ticket. Please allow only one sample per ticket. Please return the hole puncher to aDLDA ticket tent at the conclusion of the Chili Cook Off.
  • A container to collect tickets in
  • After all expenses for the event are deducted, the DLDA will equally divide the profit between the participating organizations. We will mail each organization or your charity choice, a check within 2 weeks of the event.

Chili competition:

  • Best Overall Chili: We will award 1 booth with $300.00 for the best overall chili. The winning entry will be selected by judges in a blind taste test based on the taste, smell & color of chili. The chili entries can be a traditional or non- traditional recipe.
  • People’s Choice : We will award 1 entrant $200.00 for the People’s Choice Award for Best Chili.
  • Best Decorated Booth: The best decorated booth will be awarded $200.00. You are not required to build a booth, but we do request that you make an effort to provide decorations for your 8’ table at a minimum. The decorations should represent your organization, charity of choice or your theme. You are welcome to put up a tent or booth, anything that will make your booth stand out so that you will enhance your chances of earning more money for your cause.

Important information to remember:

  • Booth set up can begin at 9:00 am on Saturday morning. Tear down will begin at 2:00 pm. Please do not begin tear down before 2:00 pm, even if you run out of Chili.
  • Admission is $5.00 per person ages 12 & above, $3.00 for children ages 3-11 and free for children ages 2 and under.
  • Chili booths will not accept money.Event tickets will be sold at the DLDA ticket tents located at two corners of the Square closest to the Chamber Plaza and An Affair to Remember.
  • A To- Go bowl of chili may be purchased at the DLDA ticket tent for $2.50.
  • Please have someone in charge of punching tasting tickets.
  • Please be sure to throw away all trash and leave your area clean at the conclusion of the event.
  • IMPORTANT NOTE - DO NOT DUMP ICE ON THE GRASS – IT WILL KILL THE GRASS.
  • In case of rain, we will hold the event on Sunday, October 25from 12:00 to 3:00. We will follow the same set up as planned for 10/24.
  • We appreciate your participation and hard work. Thank you for doing your part to make this annual communityevent a huge success.
  • Get creative & have fun!

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Barbie Watts

Chili CookOff chairman

706-298-4534