What is it about chili?

There’s something special about chili that inspires top secret ingredients, wild experimentation, and family traditions passed down many generations.  That slow cooked, spice infused, hearty goodness warms your body and soul – it’s truly the ultimate comfort food.

Head to Ahuska Park on Saturday, September 27th, 11-4p for Monona’s 42nd Chili Cook-Off – the longest running in Wisconsin – to see why Destination Madison includes us in “FALL FLAVORS THAT DEMAND A TRIP TO MADISON“.

The Chili

Get your wristband for unlimited chili sampling. Choose your samples wisely – we’ll have up to 40 cook teams (that’s 40 – 1 oz samples of chili!) you’ll have available to choose from.  Expect flavors all over the board.  In previous years we’ve had traditional to extreme heat, green chili to creamy white, smoky to sweet and tropical.

The Events

Enjoy live music from The Red Hot Horn Dawgs, with a dynamic horn-driven mix of rock, pop, R&B, and The Sundogs, with fun classic rock and pop-rock tunes. 

And Dee with 94.1 JJO Solid Rock will be out with us, broadcasting live.

Join a Kubb Tournament! Never played before? Kubb is often described as a Scandinavian twist on bocce or cornhole.  Our hosts from Madison Kubb League will be on hand with demos and tips to get you ready for a fun, chili-fueled tournament – open to seasoned pros and those brand new to the game.

First place winner will receive a one year membership with Madison Kubb League at The East Side Club. 

Second and Third place winners receive a Kubb set with carrying bag.

General admission wristbands, ages 10 and up – $15 – gives you access to unlimited chili sampling (until 1:30, or the chili runs out), live music, fun activities, the beverage tent and food trucks, and seating at picnic tables.

Or, splurge on access to the VIP tent – $50.

• Enjoy the shade with comfy lounge seating,
• self-serve champagne cocktails & mocktails,
• priority beverage service and two drink vouchers – $14 value,
• $20 of vouchers for the food trucks,
• swag bags with giveaways and discounts at local businesses

plus games, access to unlimited chili sampling, live music, fun activities, the beverage tent and food trucks.

Schedule of Events

6:30-8am: Cook teams arrive

10:30 a.m. – Gates open, beverage tent opens, live music from The Red Hot Horn Dawgs until 1 p.m.

10:30 a.m. – Kubb rules, demonstrations, and trials are open – signup is available until all 16 slots are filled

11:00 a.m. – Official start, judge panel receives chili samples

11:15 a.m. – crowd chili tasting begins; enjoy unlimited samples until the chili runs out

12:00 p.m. – Food trucks open, Madison Kubb League tournaments begin

1:30 p.m. – chili winners announced

~1:45 p.m. – Semi Final Rounds for Kubb begin, live music from The Sundogs until 4p.m.

~2:20 p.m. – Kubb championship and 3rd place Kubb games start

~3:00 p.m.  – Kubb winners announced

3:45 p.m. – Last call for alcohol

4:00 p.m. – That’s a wrap!

From The River Food Pantry:

Monona East Side Business Alliance donated to The River over 250 pounds of prepared food and beverages from their Chili Cook-Off! Thank you, MESBA, for helping to nourish our community and minimize waste.