The 2023 Edition of the Annual Gatlinburg Winter Magic & Chili Cookoff: A Preview
The 34th annual Chili Cookoff and Winter Magic in Gatlinburg is coming soon! This is one event I’ve wanted to attend since we first started visiting. Now that we are residents, I hope to get the chance to finally cross this off my bucket list. Yes, I have modest checklists I’d like to accomplish in this life. Now that we have achieved our dream, realistic goals are the new normal. Anyway, I’m going to bring you all the details I’ve found about the 2023 edition of this event that kicks off the most decorated season of all in Gatlinburg!
Located in the Shade Tree parking lot by the Gatlinburg Convention center on Airport Road (light #8), this year’s version, scheduled for November 9th, will have live entertainment, in addition to the all-you-can-stomach chili available from various vendors vying for the ultimate prize for best chili. Here’s a list of who won last year:
2022 Cookoff
Judges Choice:
Puckers
Ole Smoky Moonshine
Loco Burro
People’s Choice
Puckers
Loco Burro
Ripley’s Aquarium
So as you can see, Puckers cleaned up last year’s event. Due to the tragic temporary halt to their business from a fire a month earlier, there might have been a little sympathy involved, but it seems they still had great chili. It should be another interesting year, and here is more information regarding the popular event.
Every year brings a different form of entertainment to the Chili Cookoff and eventual lighting of the Winterfest decorations at the end. This year, the Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band, On The Border, will “take it to the limit” with their renditions of The Eagles’ biggest hits.
Tickets will need to be purchased prior to the event to make the entry process smooth. They are available only on a first come, first serve basis, with refunds not being accepted.
Prices have gone up a bit for admission to the 2023 event. This year, general admission is $20, which means you can enter the lot no earlier than 5:30. A $30 dollar fee allows you entrance at 5:00, while a VIP ticket costs $50, giving you the opportunity to be the first to sample all the chili when they’re ready to serve at 4:00. Kids under 5 are free to attend, but they will have to share the spoon with a parent or guardian for sampling.
Hopefully, this is something I can participate in for once. And without a doubt, if I’m fortunate enough to be here, I will give you my own personal ranking of the comfort soups in the competition. The lighting ceremony will also be a must, as I plan to gather plenty of pictures to post on my Facebook page.
Thank you all for reading about this grand event set for November 9th in Gatlinburg. I hope if you haven’t already, you’ll subscribe to my publication so you can see all the glory of Gatlinburg through my eyes. I appreciate you all for finding me!