You are invited to participate in the 22nd Annual Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, February 8, 2020. The Cook-Off is a fun and unique way to engage with the Ithaca community and to show off your chili skills!

Chili Cook-Off will run from 11:30AM - 4:00PM on Saturday. Please take a few minutes to fill out this form so that we can get you signed up. If you are a registrant applying after the deadline, please call and check to see if spaces are still available.

There are awards and cash prizes for Best Chili (1st/2nd/3rd in the Meat & Vegetarian categories), Best Local Beverage (beer/wine), Best Presentation, and People's Choice Awards. The Best Chili and Best Local Beverage awards will be judged by a group of volunteer judges. Best Presentation and People's Choice will be voted on by the public.

This is the main fundraiser for the Downtown Ithaca Alliance and enables us to put on some of our other events throughout the year. None of these free community events would be possible without your participation during Chili Cook-Off!  There is no fee for a booth at this event. ALSO, please prepare for cold weather.

Vendors must provide their own booth supplies. This includes: table(s), 10x10 tent and tent weights, extension cords (you may be up to 60 feet away from an electric source), and any other items you may need.

Please note that the Ithaca Fire Department does not allow space heaters, and there are no electrical connections available. Please dress for the weather.

We have 4 categories of participants:
1. Chili Cook-off Competitors - organizations serving up chili and competing for prizes
2. Farmers - offering samples and/or full-sized farm-produced items for purchase
3. Beverage Producer - offering tastings of items and/or selling full-sized drinks for offsite consumption
4. Nonprofit tabling- organizations are welcome to promote their organization

Application Deadline: January 24, 2020

IF YOU ARE APPLYING AFTER DEADLINE, PLEASE REACH OUT TO OLIVIA OR SCOTT DIRECTLY.
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CHILI COMPETITORS

Please bring a minimum of 20 gallons of chili prepared in a licensed commercial kitchen.

Like years past, each business must provide their own booth supplies. THIS INCLUDES: a tarp to cover the ground of your booth space, table(s), 10x10 tent, serving containers (2oz portion cups), staffing, extension cords (you may be up to 60 feet away from an electric source), and any other items you may need. We will hand out reusable spoons at the point of ticket purchase.

All vendors preparing food must put down a tarp underneath all cooking areas to protect the ground from spills and stains.

Please note that the Ithaca Fire Department does not allow space heaters, and there are no electrical connections available. Please dress for the weather.

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FARMERS

Most vendors at the event will be offering 2-3oz samples of chili or alcoholic beverages in exchange for tickets purchased at the official event ticket booth. You are welcome to serve samples of your products in exchange for tickets, as well as sell full-sized farm-produced items.

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BREWERIES / WINERIES / CIDERIES / DISTILLERIES

You are invited and welcome to showcase your delicious beverages at the Cook-Off! You are permitted to offer 2-3oz samples of your products as well as sell full-size options for offsite consumption. Each sample will be given to attendees in exchange for an official Chili Cook-Off ticket. Historically, beverage producers have teamed up with chili competitors to serve samples with as a way to boost sampling activity.

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NONPROFIT TABLING

Please note that we hold all booth spaces through January 24th for restaurants, wineries/breweries, and farmers wishing to participate in this event, as their participation is at the core of the event. After this date, we will begin releasing remaining spaces to nonprofits who wish to have a presence at the event.

Nonprofit organizations are welcome to share information about your programs, recruit volunteers, and hand out promotional literature. However, we ask that you not fund raise or sell any items at this event. Chili Cook-off is the main fundraiser for the Downtown Ithaca Alliance and enables us to put on other free events throughout the year.

Nonprofit organizations are encourage to have an interactive activity to increase the time visitors spend at your booth. We ask that nonprofits not sell items or request donations at this event, and instead focus on sharing information and recruiting volunteers and participants.

We will notify you about your status after January 24th.
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Hope to see you in February!

Scott Rougeau- Special Events Director  (scott@downtownithaca.com)
Olivia Pastella- Assistant Special Events Director (olivia@downtownithaca.com)

Questions?
Email Scott, Olivia, or events@downtownithaca.com
Phone: 607-277-8679