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🔥 SAVE THE DATE 🔥Year 16 – SC State Chili Cook-off Championship
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Downtown Belton, SC
It’s getting hot in Belton — again! What could be better than a beautiful spring Saturday spent tasting the best chili recipes from across the country? Join us on Saturday, April 11, 2026, for the 16th Annual SC State Chili Cook-off Championship, presented by Dodge and Friends of the Chili, Richard and Eleanor Dorn.
Whether you want to compete, judge, or just eat, there’s something for everyone:
🌶️ Competition Highlights
• Over 30 professional cooks already signed up, with more amateur competitors encouraged to join!
• Pro categories: Traditional Red, Homestyle, Chili Verde, and Veggie Chili
• Amateur categories: People’s Choice and Homestyle
• Winners receive cash prizes, trophies, and a chance to qualify for the ICS World Championship!
👉 Interested? Visit www.scchilicookoff.com to sign up!
🏅 Judging Info
Mayor and Co-Chair Eleanor Dorn invites you to judge! Sign up at the Belton Depot upon arrival. Judging times begin at 11 AM and run through 3 PM. A quick tutorial is provided. Spots are limited — arrive early!
🌶️ Tasting Tickets
• 5 Tastes = $5
• Unlimited Tastes Band = $20
• Sample chili from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and vote for your favorite!
💖 Proceeds Support:
• Belton Alliance
• Belton Area Museum Association
• Belton Center for the Arts
• Belton Interfaith Ministries Association
• American Legion Post #51
• Belton Masonic Lodge #130 – Christmas for Kids
🎨🛍️🎸 More to See and Do!
• Chili Pepper Pageant at Watkins Community Center – Sign up by April 7
• Live music from The Combo Kings & friends
• Smithsonian SPARK! Exhibit at the Belton Museum
• Craft & food vendors, FFA plant sales, and family activities
• Car Cruise-In on North Main St: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
• Belton Bash Tennis Tournament (9 AM – 5 PM)
• I Heart Radio live on site
• Outdoor Concert Kickoff Friday night, April 10, at 6 PM – featuring Dave Mauldin and A Taste of Freedom food truck
• Kegs-N-Eggs Cook-Off (Pro Cooks Only) – Sunday, April 12, from 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM at Belton Rec Center
• Chili Pepper Golf Tournament – Friday, April 10, at Saluda Valley Country Club (1:30 PM shotgun start)
For golf tourney details, contact Abigail Burden at 864-338-7400 or beltonmuseum@bellsouth.
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Event Venue
Belton City Square, 67 N Main St, Belton, SC 29627-1772, United States
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
