Red Gold Chili Cook-Off | Red Gold Tomatoes

38th Annual Red Gold Chili Cook-Off

So you think you have the best chili?!

The Annual Red Gold® Chili Cook-Off will be held Saturday, October 10, 2026, in historic downtown Elwood. The annual event will feature the unique chili recipes of over 20 competition teams, ranging in tastes from sweet-and-mild to hot-and-spicy. Each team is given complimentary Red Gold products for use in their recipe, and the teams will be competing for cash prizes provided by Red Gold. Any individual, business or organization is welcome to sign up and cook chili! Download a pdf of the application below! Any applications received and paid by 7/1/26 will get early-bird pricing of $25 per booth!!

Enjoy fun activities downtown at the Elwood City Building including booths featuring fall crafts, baked goods, hand-made specialty items and live entertainment. Stewie the Red Gold Mascot will join us for the event, along with a special guest appearance from the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders and Blue the Mascot. Nitro from Indy Fuel will also join us on this eventful day!

Red Gold is also excited to present the Indiana Beer & Wine Garden at the chili cook-off. The garden will again showcase the local Silver Dollar Tavern for beer, wine and mixed drinks for those who are 21 years of age and older.

The event will be held across from the Elwood Municipal Building and around the fountain area located at the intersection of South B and Anderson Streets. Booths open at 8:30 a.m. with chili tasting beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Download Chili Cook-Off Application

Music provided by NBE Event Group out of Indianapolis.

You can expect to see lots of family fun activities including airbrush tattoos, hair coloring, balloon twisters, and caricatures all provided by Fabulously Fun Company.