Red Gold to Host 38th Annual Chili Cook-Off in Downtown Elwood

Red Gold is turning up the heat in downtown Elwood on Saturday, October 10, 2026, with its 38th Annual Chili Cook-Off, a community tradition featuring homemade chili, local vendors, family-friendly entertainment and plenty of fun for all ages.

The festivities will kick off at 9 a.m. with booths featuring homemade crafts, baked goods, specialty items and more than 20 chili vendors. Attendees can sample a variety of homemade chili recipes, making it easy to find a new favorite.

Chili tasting begins at 10:30 a.m., with tasting tickets available for purchase at the Chamber of Commerce Tent beginning at 9:15 a.m. Tickets are 5 for $5 or 12 for $10. Water and soda will also be available for purchase at the tent.

Families can enjoy entertainment from The Fabulously Fun Company, whose artists will be on site creating personalized caricatures, twisting balloons into fun shapes and animals, and transforming faces with colorful face painting.

And, of course, no Red Gold event would be complete without Stewie, the Red Gold mascot. Stewie will be on hand throughout the event for hugs, high-fives and photo opportunities.

The Indiana Beer & Wine Garden will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Local business Silver Dollar Tavern will return as the featured vendor for the third consecutive year, offering a seasonal drink menu that includes Bloody Marys, Spiked Apple Cider, Spiked Hot Coffee, Apple Cider Mules and more.

Vendor Registration Still Open

There is still time to join the fun! Vendors interested in hosting a chili booth or craft booth at the Annual Chili Cook-Off can request an application by contacting the Elwood Chamber of Commerce at ElwoodChamberManager@gmail.com. The application deadline is Friday, September 25.

Red Gold extends a special thank-you to the Elwood Chamber of Commerce, Elwood Police Department and other city services for their continued support and efforts in making this annual event possible.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 10, 2026, and come hungry! For additional information about the 38th Annual Red Gold Chili Cook-Off, visit https://www.redgoldtomatoes.com/38th-annual-red-gold-chili-cook-off/

About Red Gold,

Four generations of the Reichart family have been producing the world’s freshest, best tasting tomato products since 1942.  When the US entered WWII, the government asked citizens to step up and help the war effort and the call was answered. Since then, Red Gold has become the largest privately owned tomato processor in the nation with three state-of-the-art facilities in Elwood, Geneva, and Orestes, Indiana. The company also boasts a million square foot distribution center in Alexandria and operates the subsidiary RG Transport trucking fleet in Elwood.  Red Gold partners with local family farms across Indiana, southern Michigan, and northwest Ohio to sustainably produce premium quality canned tomatoes, ketchup, sauces, salsas, and juices for foodservice, private brands, brands, export, co-pack, club and retail channels of distribution.  The Red Gold family of consumer brands includes Red Gold, Redpack, Tuttorosso, Sacramento, Migliore, Mama Selita’s, Teresa, and Vine Ripe. Superior Quality, Outstanding Service and Operational Excellence are the shared values that contributed to the employee-created mission statement: “To produce the freshest, best tasting tomato products in the world.” Visit our award winning websites for great recipes, culinary inspiration, products and more at www.RedGoldTomatoes.com & www.RedGoldFoodservice.com.

Family Owned, Grown, and Made in the USA since 1942™