CHILI challenge

40th ANNUAL CHILI COOKOFF
March 1st, 2026

It’s time to turn up the heat!! UCP’s Annual Heart of America Chili Challenge 2026 will be held March 1st, 2026. This fun-filled day has packed the Civic Arena for the past 39 years with dedicated chili-cooking contestants and a huge public crowd.

THIS FUN-FILLED DAY HAS PACKED THE CIVIC ARENA FOR THE PAST 39 YEARS WITH DEDICATED CHILI-COOKING CONTESTANTS AND A HUGE PUBLIC CROWD.

  • 1) Become a contestant. If you would like to sign up as a chili contestant, please complete the contestant entry form with payment to UCP.
  • The People’s Choice division is the key ingredient to the success of the event. Each team will have a spot on the site where friends and family can donate directly to the team. It’s the easiest and most fun way to become the People’s Choice!
  • The Chili Challenge is our only fund-raising event, and in 39 years over $2 million has been raised to help children & adults with disabilities. With your help we continue the legacy of this amazing event!
  • A single admission price lets visitors sample dozens of chilis, while enjoying live music, browsing unique vendors, bidding on silent auction items, and chatting with old and new friends. We expect 60-plus teams to enter and to raise $100,000 to support our mission in northwest Missouri.
  • Silent and Online Auction with over 300 items to bid on!
Sign up to be a contestant sign up to be a sponsor Online Auction

FORMS & information

UCP of Northwest Missouri           3303 Frederick Ave | St Joseph, MO 64506          Phone: 816-364-3836

© 2026 ucpnwmo.org. Created for free using WordPress and Colibri