16th Annual SC State Chili Cook-off Championship April 18, 2026 

Chairman: Gene Jameson
PO Box 111, Belton, SC 29627
864-940-9632
www.scchilicookoff.com
[email protected]

 

April heats up in Belton!

When April hits the upstate, the temperatures warm, but it gets even hotter when folks start tasting the entries of the biggest and best chili competition around!  Yes, it’s time for the 16th Annual SC State Chili Cook-off Championship, on Saturday, April 18, in beautiful downtown Belton. Everyone is invited to attend! Whether you want to sample the amazing culinary talents of champion chili cooks from around the nation or you try your hand at competing yourself, the SC State Chili Cook-off Championship is waiting for you! Cooks in the professional arena can compete in four categories: traditional red, homestyle, chili verde, and veggie chili. Amateur cooks can compete in People’s Choice and Amateur Homestyle competitions.
Great cash prizes and distinctive trophies are awarded to winners. And best of all, professional winners qualify for the ICS World Championship!  Or, if you love a good chili, no matter what kind, buy a tasting ticket (5 tickets for $5) or a tasting band (unlimited tastes for $20) so you can sample the best chili around. With your tickets or band, you can expect the chance to sample from among at least 30 varied chili recipes (if you come between the peak hours of 11:30 and 2:30 and look for the “chili available” signs), and you get to vote for your favorite. Proceeds benefit six non-profits in our town that provide quality of life and emergency services for our community.

In addition to the great chili, entertainment and fun abound as you view extraordinary artwork at the Belton Center for the Arts, watch superb collegiate players compete at Belton Tennis Center,
experience the history of our area at the Belton Area Museum Association, appreciate restored and cherished vintage and antique autos at the Chili-Pepper Cruise-In, or dance to the melodic sounds of The Combo Kings and other local talent. There are activities for children, great crafters, other food vendors, and fun for the entire family.

For more information or to apply to be a crafter, food vendor, or professional or amateur competitor,
please visit our website at www.scchilicookoff.com.   Come on down to Belton and light those fires!

“If you have a car that you are proud of and want to show it off, why don’t you cruise on in to Belton City Square from 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM?” said Steve Lingerfelt, organizer of the cruise in.  The Belton Masonic Lodge #130 invites all auto enthusiasts to join in the fun, with no registration necessary. For more information, contact Steve Lingerfelt at [email protected] or 864-303-6444.

Children’s activities, such as face painting, corn hole, and art making, sponsored by the Belton Center for the Arts, will be available.

Historical tours of the Belton Area Museum Association’s newest exhibit in the North End Gallery and guided tours of the SC Tennis Hall of Fame and the Ruth Drake Museum of Local History will be available from 10 AM – 4 PM.

The Combo Kings’ amazing music will delight the crowds throughout much of the day.

Vendors selling products such as jewelry and crafts, as well as non-chili food vendors, will also be on site.

The crowning of the professional champion in each competition category will be held during the Awards Ceremony at 4:30 PM on Saturday.

Tie-in events are also planned prior to and after the Saturday festival.

On Friday, April 17, the BAMA Chili Pepper Golf Tourney will be held at Saluda Valley Country Club with a 1 PM shotgun start.  Before the beginning, a hearty lunch provided by Southern Smoke BBQ will be served to all participants, and then they can all try their putting skills at the putting contest.   Limited to 15 teams, this event offers tons of great prizes to winners in several categories and swag to all golfers.  For more information or to register to play, contact Alison Darby at 864-958 5264 or by email at [email protected].

The day after the festival, cooks will participate in the Kegs-N-Eggs event at the Belton Recreation Center on Blue Ridge Avenue on Sunday from 8:30 AM to 2 PM. This is a private event for cooks only and event organizers.

“We hope to see you Saturday, April 19, to compete, eat, and enjoy down-home hospitality at the SC State Chili Cook-off Championships! It’ll be a lot of fun and raise much-needed dollars for local non-profits serving our community.  Last year’s cookoff provided $27,000 to these non-profit organizations.” said Mayor Dorn!