Pictured is the street scene from a previous year’s festival.
Submitted photo
Submitted story
The 17th Annual Monument Square District Chili Cookoff and Hoopla Parade is set for Saturday, Sept. 28 in Urbana and includes entertainment, a Kid’s Zone with games and a Dunk Tank, and a day full of contests (31 total).
The Chili Cooking Contest Grand Prize is $1,000 plus there is a Hot Pepper Eating Contest, A Best Salsa Contest, a Corn Hole Tournament plus some other fun contests. Most winners also get a “fun” trophy to remember the occasion.
This year we have added trophies for the Corn Hole Tournament winners. In addition, people attending can vote for their favorite chili by purchasing “beads” for $1 at the information tent.
There are $3,000 in prizes total.
Chili cookers submit their chili to be judged at 2 p.m. and then give out samples to the attendees. There will be food trucks and vendors including jewelry, candles, snacks, fall décor and much more. The Beer Garden and Corn Hole Tournament kick off at 10 a.m. on Court Street.
The Bull 106.9 will broadcast live from the festival and include interviews of sponsors, staff members and local dignitaries. We greatly appreciate the help of all of our sponsors. The Urbana Moose Family Center, The Soap & Suds Laundry, Orbis, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Bundy Corporation, Urbana Lions Club, Urbana Dental Smiles, Sellman Insurance Group, Peoples Bank, the DAR, the VFW/DAV Joint post, the Bull 106.9, the City of Urbana fire, police and street departments.
At noon the Hoopla Parade kicks off from Washington Avenue then travels south on Main Street to Park Avenue where it turns off into the fairgrounds. The parade will be led by VFW Post #5451 Color Guard, the Urbana Police and Fire Department, and includes the Urbana High School Marching Band and the Antioch Shriners who will bring their mini cars, go carts and much more.
The Chili Festival Committee includes Chair Elton Cultice, Amy Armstrong, Carolyn Headlee, Alyssa Dunham, Lois Monroe, Margaret Mitterholtzer, Mark Hall, Jeramiah Stocksdale, Cortney Porter and Wendy and Jeff Hepp.
Main Street from the square to Church Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Committee members wearing Chili Festival t-shirts will be available to answer questions and the Information Tent on Church Street opens at 7 a.m. if you need assistance.
For more information about this year’s event, to showcase your group in the parade or to volunteer and get involved, please call 937-346-5690. A complete schedule of the day’s events can be found on the Facebook Page, “The Simon Kenton Chili Cookoff & Hoopla Parade.”
Info from event organizers
