Gatlinburg will kickoff the 27th year of Smoky Mountain Winterfest with the annual Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff and Winter Magic Kickoff on Wednesday, November 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. City dignitaries will signify the start of Gatlinburg Winter Magic with a ceremonial lighting of more than 3 million lights throughout the city while thousands sample from more than 25 vendors from area restaurants and businesses.
This year’s event features great musical acts throughout the night performing on multiple stages. Chili Cookoff is happy to announce country music singer Tara Thompson as the headliner. Tara is a featured act in many of Nashville’s premier honky-tonks and has recently been the opening act in front of thousands for her cousin, the Queen of Country Music, Loretta Lynn. She released her EP “Someone to Take Your Place” this year and is expected to release her full-length album later this year. Thompson will go on at 6:15 p.m. on the Bush’s Best Stage at traffic light number 6. Grassabillies will open at 5:15 p.m. The Greenbrier Band will perform four times throughout the night beginning at 5:00 p.m. on the south entrance of the Cookoff near the Historic Gatlinburg Inn. All Sauced Up Hot Chili Eating Contests are at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., and Winter Magic Kickoff lighting starts at 6:00 p.m. on the Bush’s Best Stage.
“We are so happy to celebrate 27 years of Winterfest in Sevier County with Gatlinburg’s Chili Cookoff,” said Mark Adams, CEO/President of Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. “In the nearly 30 years since its inception, Winterfest has proven to be extremely beneficial to the people of Sevier County while also providing one of the best holiday experiences in the South for the guests who visit our area during the winter months.”
Participants in Chili Cookoff will be competing for the coveted People’s Choice Award, Best Booth Presentation and Best Apron. While the street event is free, tickets for chili sampling are $10. There is also a special edition t-shirt available for purchase the night of the event.
Food vendors serving are Collier Convention and Catering, Courtyard by Marriott Gatlinburg, Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Delauder’s Smoky Mountain BBQ, Dick’s Last Resort, Drafts Sports Bar & Grill, Gatlinburg Fire Department, Gatlinburg Police Department, Great Smoky Mountain Catering Co., Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, Hilton Garden Inn, The Inn at Christmas Place, IX Nubes Vape Lounge, Lil Black Bear Café, Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina, Margaritaville Island Hotel, Ole Smoky Moonshine, Ober Gatlinburg, Paula Deen Store, Puckers Sports Grill, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Sensible Concrete Works, Sugarlands Distilling Co., The Melting Pot, and The Popcorn Emporium. Sponsors of Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff are Bush Brothers and Company, All Sauced Up, Food City, and Smoky Mountain Living.
We sure hope you can come visit us during this magical time of year. Call us 865-908-7935 or visit our website at www.berrysprings.com to make reservation to join us in this wonderful and delicious celebration! We will also be all decked out. Hope to see you soon!
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