Join Gatlinburg for its Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff

Gatlinburg’s 20th Annual Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, from 4pm-9pm. It will feature mouth watering recipes of home-style chili ranging from mild to to mouth-watering hot. Up to 20 vendors will serve up their best chili recipes during this annual event. The event is located between traffic light #6 and the Riverside Motor Lodge.

With the purchase of a ticket, guests receive a spoon and voting ballot and get to sample a variety of tasty recipes and vote for their favorite in the People’s Choice Award. Judges will select winners in categories including Best Taste, Booth Presentation, Apron Design and Most Unique Chili Name.

The Chili Cookoff will also feature entertainment by the Marvelettes, Motown’s first successful female vocal group. They are most famous for their hit, “Please Mr. Postman," but are also notable for songs like “Don’t Mess with Bill,” “Beechwood 4-5789” and “Playboy.” In total, they scored 19 top 40 American R&B singles and 1- top 40 American pop singles.

Tickets for the Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff are $7 in advance and $8 at the gate.

The Winter Magic Kickoff portion of the event highlights the seasonal debut of the all-LED Gatlinburg Winter Magic lights program. Gatlinburg Winter Magic features $1.5million custom designed, one-of-a-kind lighting displays along the Gatlinburg Parkway.