Chilimania

Music Friday: A Tad of Sarahcha 5 pm, Saving Savannah 7 pm, Morgan Wallen 10 pm. Saturday: Monday Morning Dixie Band 11 am, Heartache Tonight 2 pm, Infinity 5:30 pm, Bostyxx 7:30 pm, Jason & Robert Stubbs 9:30 pm, Queen Nation 10 pm.

press release: Chilimania and all related activities are held in downtown Edgerton, Wisconsin. The Chilimania grounds are located on North Henry Street and the surrounding areas. The main gate is located at the intersection of West Fulton Street and North Henry Street. There also are gates located on the north, east, and west sides of the grounds.

The Country Edge and Chilimania Main Stage is located just north of the intersection of North Henry Street and West Canal Street.

The Chili Chase 5K/10K begins and ends in front of Sara’s Health & Fitness, 121 N. Henry St.

The Best Bloody Mary contest is held at 2 Brothers Pub & Grill, 116 W. Fulton St.

Country Edge admission is: $10 in advance, $15 at the gate; children 12 & under are admitted free with an adult. Chilimania admission is: $8 for adults; children 12 & under are admitted free with an adult. Hand stamps will be available for those who wish to leave and re-enter the grounds on either date. Free, on-street parking is available throughout the downtown area and on adjoining streets. There are some business and property owners who charge a fee to park on their property.

As chili cooks can attest, the search for that perfect recipe is a lifelong pursuit. The main ingredients remain consistent, but there’s always a bit of experimentation that goes on with each delicious batch made. A dash more of this, a pinch less of that -- all to see (and taste) how the flavors mix and meld.

The same premise applies to organizing and producing an annual event for the better part of three decades. Now in its 29th year and held during the weekend following Labor Day in downtown Edgerton, Chilimania co-founder Dr. Tom Reitz believes “Edgerton’s largest annual party” has found a near-perfect concoction: Take a late-summer weekend. Add plenty of chili, music, friends and, fun. Throw in some food, beverages, and (hopefully) some sunshine. This recipe yields enough for 5,000 people and serves all of Edgerton through scholarships for college-bound high school seniors and donations to an array of community-based organizations and projects.

Aside from being the longtime host to the Wisconsin state-championship Chili Appreciation Society International’s (CASI) cook-off, Chilimania has long prided itself on its live music lineup, complete with a professional stage, sound system and light show. The festival often features regionally and nationally known tribute acts, providing a big-time show at family-friendly prices.

The 2018 edition should excite longtime fans and first-timers alike. Headlining on Saturday night this year is Queen Nation, a Los Angeles-based Queen tribute act whose live, 90-minute production of the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame band’s greatest hits preserves the image, sound, and stage persona of vintage Queen.

The Saturday lineup also features Bostyxx, playing the best of Boston and Styx; Infinity, with their mix of arena-rock anthems and hits; Heartache Tonight, bringing the sounds of The Eagles to Edgerton; and the Monday Morning Dixie Band, kicking off Chilimania for the 28th consecutive year with all the Dixieland classics.

There’s no need for concern if rock-n-roll is not your thing. Now in its third year, Chilimania presents Country Edge on Friday, Sept. 8. Held on the Chilimania grounds, the only chili you’ll find will be for sale from our food vendors. (More on that later …) What you will find is a lineup full of some of the finest local, regional and national country music acts kicking off the Chilimania weekend on our Main Stage.

We are very excited about our 2018 Country Edge headliner Morgan Wallen. Wallen and his #1 country radio hit, “Up Down” featuring Florida Georgia Line, have been all over radio and social media this summer, with its twangy hook that gets stuck in your head for days on end. Rounding out the Friday night lineup are Saving Savannah, a dynamite Milwaukee-based act playing “Country music as it should be”; and A Tad of Sarahcha, an Edgerton-based duo playing all your favorite Country tunes accompanied by another local act, TheMadTadders.

Advance tickets to Country Edge will be available online beginning Monday, July 23. The cost is $10 in advance, or $15 at the gate on the day of show. Please watch chilimania.com and our social channels for more information on the headliner announcement and where to buy tickets.

Did you notice that we’ve come this far and barely talked about chili? Well there’s no need for concern, as we haven’t forgotten about the biggest part of the entire weekend! Chilimania is host to both CASI and traditional chili cook-off contests, as well as a Best Salsa competition.

All cooks are encouraged to also participate in the CASI Showmanship category, for which they must choose a booth theme complete with decorations, costumes, a skit and more. This makes for a flavorful and fun event for all ages.

One of the most popular parts of Chilimania Saturday is the public tasting, which begins promptly at 3PM. This allows all attendees to sample as many chilis as they would like (or have time to try) and vote for their favorite as the coveted People’s Choice Award, which comes with a cash prize and hand-carved wood trophy for the winner.

Once sampling is complete, attendees turn in their People’s Choice ballots, with the winner being announced alongside other categories from the Main Stage at 6:45PM.

The fifth annual Chili Chase will be held on Saturday, Sept. 8 in downtown Edgerton. This year’s race includes both a 5K and 10K route.The Chili Chase is a fun run and walk that serves as the official kickoff for the annual, daylong Chilimania festival. The Chili Chase is a fundraising event, with all proceeds from entry fees donated back to the community via the Chilimania Scholarship & Community Donations Fund.

Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities — and their four-legged friends, who are invited to compete to become the official Chilimania Mascot — are encouraged to participate. Entrants choose between a 5K or 10K route — registration costs are the same. Back by popular demand, the 2018 Chili Chase will again be chip-timed by Tortoise & Hare Timing Co., who also will handle the online registration process. All competitors (especially pets) are encouraged to dress up in chili-themed costumes to add to the festive atmosphere. There are prizes for the top finishers, and all competitors ages 21+ receive Chilimania’s nearly world-famous “Bloody beers” after they cross the finish line. Plus, participate in fun games and challenges and you could win some Chili Gear!

Help us decide who makes the Edgerton area’s best Bloody Mary! Chilimania’s fifth annual Best Bloody Mary Contest will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018 at Two Brothers Pub & Grill in downtown Edgerton. The contest follows the conclusion of the Chili Chase 5K/10K.

Admission is FREE … but you must be 21 to register to be a judge. Come and enjoy the best Bloody Marys the Edgerton area has to offer! The goal is to have a FUN time and find out which local bar can create the best-looking (how good it looks aesthetically) and best-tasting (how pleasing it is to the tastebuds) Bloody Mary! The competitors’ Bloody Mary mix will be judged and awarded in two categories. Anyone in attendance (ages 21+) may enter to be a judge. Judges will be chosen that morning using a lottery system. Samples from all contestants will be available to those not selected as judges. Our judges will be determine the entry with Best Overall Taste via a blind tasting of mixtures excluding any dressings, condiments, and/or garnishes. They also will choose the Best Display via a visual judging of a 16-ounce display drink, with all the fixings included.

Even the most-seasoned chili fans will tell you that it’s impossible to exist on chili alone -- although we don’t blame anyone for trying! There is a wide variety of food available during both Country Edge and Chilimania. From BBQ to pizza to burgers and sweets, there’s something for every taste and appetite. Some of our vendors are run and staffed by local nonprofit organizations, so you’ll be helping their causes while noshing and indulging. Country Edge and Chilimania also are proud to again this year partner with Bud Light as the presenting sponsor of our bar area. Attendees 21 years old and older with proper ID can enjoy a variety of ice-cold canned beers, ciders, and other malt beverages. In addition, Chilimania serves red and white varieties of Barefoot wine in individually sized plastic bottles.

Chili, beer, and loud music might not sound like a child-friendly environment, but Chilimania offers a dedicated area for families and children to escape the crowds and noise and have some fun. Located in the public parking lot on the west side of North Henry Street, the Children’s Area features family-friendly games, and activities. This area is open from noon to 5PM.