Gatlinburg Announces Details on Winter Magic and 2024 Chili Cookoff
Gatlinburg will be celebrating in high winter style with the kickoff of Winter Magic and the best appetizer, which is the 35th Chili Cookoff. There will be many businesses competing for prizes for Best Booth, People’s Choice, and Overall Best Chili being judged by a wide variety of individuals, locals and tourists. I can tell you no 2 recipes will be the same, as there is something for everyone here. It’s not too soon to swoon over it, so let’s spoon out the details, shall we?
The big celebration will be held on November 7th from 5-8 P.M. in the Shade Tree Parking Lot on Airport Road across from the Space Needle in downtown Gatlinburg. You can get VIP access for $50, which includes early access at 4 P.M., music, and drinks. Tickets are required for the event and are encouraged to be purchased in advance. It is $25 for regular admission, and if you have kids with you under 5 years of age, they are free, but they won’t be given a spoon for sampling. Sharing is caring!
Aside from the chili sampling, there will be plenty more benefits to attending this event. The band, TopHouse, will be the featured entertainment at the Chili Cookoff. They are a unique blend of bluegrass and folk with a touch of EDM (Electronic Dance Music) that I find fascinating, and I am looking forward to hearing them live. These Montana natives are currently searching for more success and visibility a few hours away in Nashville, Tennessee. Their latest EP, titled Campfire Stories, is a collection of 6 tunes that…well, could be told and sung around a campfire. The show begins at 6. Below are links to where you can find out more about them!
Official Website: Tophousetheband.com
Facebook: Tophouse
Instagram: tophousetheband
YouTube: Tophouse
You can also meet one of America’s favorite dogs, Duke, the official Spokesdog for Bush’s Beans. He will be panting with excitement as he poses for all of his fans underneath their tent. Availability for a picture will be on a first come, first served basis, just like the tickets for the Chili Cookoff.
The magic of the evening will illuminate in the form of flipping the switch on all 1 million LED lights, which will signal the beginning of the holiday season in Gatlinburg. If you’re not in favor of seeing decorations for winter this early, then you may want to sit this one out. As for myself, I love it. Last year lifted my spirits more than I ever imagined this time of year. What a time to be alive! It is so beautiful, even though the leaves are falling as fast as the temperatures by this time.
I hope to see you there for this special yearly event in Gatlinburg. I will be filling my belly with some yummy chili from restaurants, businesses, organizations, and services in the area. It is a wonderful time to gather and enjoy the spectacle! Thank you all for reading and subscribing to my publication as always. Stay tuned for much more news, events, opinions, and more from my Gatlinburg home!