Downtown Urbana will be filled with the smell of chili, the sounds of a marching band, and the sights of a community celebration Saturday as the 19th annual Champaign County Chili Cook-Off and Hoopla Parade takes over the downtown square.
The annual event, which began in 2007, will bring chili cooks, local organizations, businesses, and community members together for a full day of food, contests, entertainment and activities throughout historic downtown Urbana.
The chili cook-off will feature a full lineup of cooks, with all chili prepared and judged on site. Cooks will compete for a $1,000 grand prize, while cash prizes will also be awarded to the top five chili entries.
Festival-goers will have the chance to sample the chili and cast their votes in the People’s Choice competition. Salsa entries will also be judged during the event.
The Hoopla Parade begins at noon on Washington Avenue off North Main Street and will travel through Urbana all the way to the Champaign County Fairgrounds. The parade will feature local first responders, area businesses, Urbana High School and the school’s marching band, along with many other local organizations and participants.
The parade is just one part of the day’s activities. Visitors can also take part in or watch a cornhole tournament, hot pepper eating contest, and Suck, Chew & Blow Contest. A kids’ area, DJ, live music, vendors, food options, and a beer garden will also be available.
106.9 The Bull will be on site, broadcasting live from the downtown square from 2 to 4 p.m.
Former Monument Square District President Elton Cultice discusses the event and what the day has to offer.
The festival schedule gets underway early Saturday, with vendor and chili cook setup beginning at 7 a.m. Chili cooking starts at 8 a.m., with the fire department siren signaling the start of the cooking competition.
The Hoopla Parade starts at noon, followed by additional chili contests and activities throughout the afternoon. Winners are scheduled to be announced at 5 p.m., including Best Chili, Best Decorated Booth, People’s Choice, the Cornhole Tournament and the Pepper Eating Contest.
Money raised through the event goes toward beautification efforts in downtown Urbana.
The festival will also bring traffic changes to the downtown area. Organizers say areas around the downtown square, including Main Street and Scioto Street, will be impacted, while the parade will affect South Main Street.
Drivers should plan ahead and use caution when traveling around the downtown square and along South Main Street while the parade is underway.
The festival is free to attend, with free street parking available, and will be held rain or shine.
