This popular event, presented by Big Chili Cook-Off, Inc., is an annual event held for the purpose of bringing the community together to support six local mountain area fire departments.  The Big Chili Cook-Off typically draws a large family audience of over 3,000 attendees each year. This one-day event features artisan and business vendors, a great selection of chili to taste and sample; and awesome entertainment.  Big Chili Cook-Off Music & Arts Festival is promoted throughout the local Evergreen and Denver metro area through local newspapers, small businesses, and civic and church groups.

LOCATION – BUCHANAN PARK, EVERGREEN

Buchanan is located in North Evergreen, at the corner of Highway 74 Evergreen Parkway and Squaw Pass Road.  Evergreen, Colorado is located approximately 10 miles south of I-70 and approximately 11 miles from Morrison/C-470 area.

WHY SHOULD BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS and INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATE AS CHILI COOKS?

Because it’s all about supporting the local fire fighters, having fun and the CHILI, of course!  Who has the best?? Chilis are judged and awarded for their top flavors.  Show your support for the local volunteer fire departments and show off your chili recipes!

CHILI COOK SAMPLING ~ JUDGING ~ AWARDS

Chili Cook booths will prepare a one ounce chili sample (sampling cup provided by Big Chili) for event attendees. Judging will be done by a panel of volunteer judges.  Chili Cooks will be asked to submit a numbered sample of chili for blind judging.  The judges will divide up the entries and then choose entries to move in to the final judging round.  Judges will then select the winners of the Red, Green and Firehouse categories.  The category of People’s Choice Chili will be selected by event attendees via ballot.

ELIGIBILITY

Chili Cook Vendors MUST read the Chili Cook Rules accompanied with this application.  Applications will be reviewed, then you will be notified of acceptance.  Businesses, organizations and even individuals can participate and have a chili cook booth. 

BOOTH INFORMATION

Each Vendor will be assigned a 10’ x 10’ space on grass. Booth assignments will be pre-assigned. You will not be able to select your booth space. Vendors will be allowed to drive to their booth location during set-up (to unload) and tear down (to pick up equipment) only. This is contingent on weather and turf conditions.  Chili Cook Vendors must provide their own display tents/canopies.  Big Chili will provide Chili Cook Vendors one 8’ table, two chairs, tasting/sampling cups and napkins.  NO ELECTRICITY IS AVAILABLE.  Your tent/canopy must be anchored with adequate weights or method to secure the tent in case of high winds.  If you need to rent a tent, additional table or chairs, let us know.  Create a visually pleasing booth area, with a sturdy 10’ x 10’ tent/canopy (no plastic tarps), good signage and a trash receptacle.  Colorado weather can change quickly.  Come prepared to enjoy the sunshine, but bring rain covers and tie downs just in case.    

Each chili cook booth will receive TWO vendor wristbands/badges.  Chili Cook sponsors will also receive TWO vendor wristbands/badges.  Wristbands/badges give admission and access to the event.  Cooks will not receive admission tickets.  Anyone assisting with your Saturday morning set-up and/or in your booth during the event will need a vendor badge.  If you need additional vendor badges for those helping in your booth, order and pay for them in advance with this application.  Limit for additional badges is six.  Vendor badges will then be picked up when you check-in on site at the event.  Vendor packets will be emailed approximately TWO weeks prior to the event.  They will not be mailed.  These packets will include event schedule, access pass for set-up, set-up info, parking info, etc. 

CHECK-IN ­ SET UP ­ TEAR DOWN

Vendors may check-in and begin setting up their booth on Friday, September 8 from 3-6pm OR Saturday, September 9 from  6:30 - 9am.  Consider bringing in your heavy items on Friday to make your load-in easier on Saturday morning.  There will be security on Friday night.  Close-in parking is available, however it will be limited.  Cooks should drop off their booth items, then drive to one of the event off-site parking lots.  Shuttle bus service will then be available.  No early departures on Saturday!  Cooks must stay until event close on Saturday.

CHILI BOOTH FEES

Individual/Business Chili Booth fee is $35 for ONE Chili entry; $45 for TWO or MORE Chili entries. 
Restaurant Chili Cook Booth fee is $45 for ONE Chili entry; $55 for TWO OR MORE. 
BUSINESS Chili Sponsor is $125 (be recognized as a sponsor on our website and with signage at your booth)
All fees must be included with this completed, signed application to be considered.

TO BE LISTED ON THE OFFICIAL BALLOT AND ELIGIBLE FOR CASH PRIZES AND AWARDS, YOU MUST BE REGISTERED/PAID NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 - 5PM.

APPLICATION DEADLINE ~ ACCEPTANCE ~ CANCELLATION POLICY

You will be notified by email of application acceptance.  No refunds will be given after August 15.  Call us if you must cancel after acceptance. “No-shows” will be barred from participating in the future.  No refunds given if the event is canceled due to weather issues or other causes.  Application deadline is Sunday, September 3, 2023.

CHILI COOK RULES 2023
Chili Cook Rules 2023 are available in pdf form at www.bigchili.org.

QUESTIONS? 

Space is on grass.  There are no discounts for multiple booth spaces.  

Each 10’ x 10’ Chili Cook booth space will receive two (2) Chili Cook vendor wristbands.  If you pay for two booths, you will receive four wristbands – etc.  If you require more than two vendor wristbands (for each booth), you must pay for the additional wristbands.  Fees must be included with this application.

The Chili Cook Vendor hereby agrees to the following terms and conditions:

1. Each Vendor must return this completed application and signed agreement with required fees.
2. Big Chili Inc. (BC) will assign each Vendor a booth space. BC will not provide water or any other utilities or tents/canopies or other amenities.
3. Vendors must conduct their business within the confines of their assigned space. No Vendor may leave their booth space to solicit or distribute information within the event. 
4. BC reserves the right to restrict Vendors with respect to methods of operation and display materials if, for any reason a Vendor’s booth or its contents is deemed inappropriate or jeopardizes the organization’s tax-exempt status. If this occurs, Vendor will be removed from the event.
5. BC reserves the right to limit the number of Vendors providing similar type products or services.
6. BC will be spot-checking Vendors to ensure that they are conducting business as it was presented on this application. You may be asked to leave immediately if your items for sale are not representative of the info provided in your application.
7. BC and the Evergreen Park & Recreation District are not responsible for damage or loss of Vendor property. Vendors are encouraged to have proper business insurance. 
8. Cancellation/Refund Policy: No refunds will be given due to inclement weather.  If a Vendor notifies BC by August 15, 2023 of their cancellation, a refund (less $25 application fee) will be made.  If notice is given after August 15, 2023, no refund will be given.  If the event is canceled, no refunds will be made.  Your fee is considered a donation to our Big Chili fire departments.
9. If the terms of this agreement are violated, the Vendor agrees that BC may immediately revoke all of the rights of the Vendor, their agents and their employees to booth space without refund or financial remuneration.
10. Vendor agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Big Chili, Inc., Evergreen Park & Recreation District, Current Events LLC and any of their directors, officers, members, agents volunteers, Vendors or the owners of any festival related property from and against any and all liabilities, costs, damages, expenses and attorney’s fee resulting from or attributable to any and all acts and/or omissions of Vendor, its directors, officers, employees, agents, volunteers, Vendors or the owners of any festival related property associated with Vendor’s booth and the booth’s operations and agree to be part of no legal action of any kind against any of them.
11. Vendor represents that all information provided in this application is true and correct, that they have read and understand all policies and procedures outlined in this application. It is agreed that no other agreement shall be binding upon the parties unless in writing and signed by an authorized representative of BCI.
12. I HAVE READ THE 2023 BIG CHILI CHILI COOK RULES as posted on the Big Chili website at www.bigchili.org.