Fall Festival & Chili Cook-Off

It’s chili season, and guess what? The Luckenbach GOLD 1st place winner is up for grabs! They’ll be taking home a cool $500 cash prize. And the best part? You can get your team together and compete in the chili tasting.

Free live music, face painting, vendor shopping, trick-or-treating on the property, and a family pumpkin carving contest! Bring your carved pumpkin or pumpkins to the "Pumpkin Check-In" by the dancehall anytime between 1pm-2pm. They will then get placed in and around our historic dancehall! Winner announced at 3:00 and winners will win some FREE Luckenbach swag! Note: Please keep all pumpkins family-friendly and we will provide tealights.

Vendor Registration is OPEN
 
Here’s the scoop:
* **Ticket Gate Opens:** 11:00 am
* **All Music on the Outdoor Main Stage:** Enjoy some live tunes while you mingle.
* **Chili Judging:** 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
* **Public Chili Tasting:** 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
* **Chili Awards:** 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Oh, and don’t forget about the Cooking Chili Cook Land Rush! It starts at 7:00 am sharp, so make sure you’re ready to cook up some delicious chili. Teams need to bring at least 4 gallons of chili to be tasted by the public, which should last until 3:00 pm. Judging will be at 1:00 pm, so make sure you have everything ready by then.

And here are some important details:

* **Team Size:** Teams can be up to 4 people.
* **Vehicle Setup:** Teams need to load in and set up their vehicles by 9:30 am. Vehicles will be parked in the parking lot after unloading.
* **Team Space:** Each team will have a 12X12 space with enough room for a pop-up, burner/table, and chili-fixin’ cooler. Please note that no BYOB is allowed.
* **Judging and People’s Choice:** A cup for judges and a token jar for the People’s Choice will be provided.
* **Meat and Food:** All meat used must be USDA-approved. No game meat is allowed unless it has been processed and inspected at a USDA facility. All food used in preparing chili must be purchased from a permitted food facility and all receipts will be maintained onsite for verification.

So, gather your team, get ready to cook, and let the chili competition begin!


Here are the important food safety guidelines for our event:

* **Temperatures:** Keep everything cool (below 41°F.) and hot (above 135°F.) Make sure all food is cooked to the right temperature. Once it’s cooked, keep it hot or cold, depending on what it is. Here are the temperature guidelines:
    * Poultry, stuffing, dressing, and reheated foods: 165°F
    * Ground beef: 155°F
    * Pork and pork products: 150°F
    * Whole beef cuts and other foods: 140°F

* **Ice:** Use ice from a trusted source and scoop it with a handle. Only handle ice scoops with handles to avoid contamination.

* **Food:** Make sure all food comes from a reputable source and has a clear label. If food isn’t prepared on-site, it needs to be from a licensed food establishment. If it’s made off-site, bring a copy of the food manufacturer’s license.

* **Storage:** Keep all food, containers, and utensils at least 6 inches off the ground. Wooden pallets are okay for outdoor events.

* **Good hygiene:** Don’t eat, smoke, or use tobacco in the booth. You can drink in closed containers with a lid and straw. Don’t mix food and money.

* **Gloves and utensils:** Use single-use gloves and utensils to avoid touching ready-to-eat foods.

* **Hair:** Keep your hair out of your face while working in the booth. Wear a hair cover or clean clothes.

* **Garbage:** Make sure you have enough garbage containers and cover them when you’re not using them.

By following these guidelines, we can make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time at our event.

Here are the requirements for temporary food establishments in Gillespie County:

* **Booths:** They’ll be covered to protect the food and keep pests out.
* **Floors:** They’ll be made of concrete, asphalt, wood, outdoor carpet, tarp, or something else that can be cleaned easily. Grass isn’t good enough.
* **Ceilings:** They’ll be made of wood, canvas, or something else to protect against the weather.
* **Lighting:** It’ll be shatterproof or shielded.

Gillespie County Health Division has the right to:
   I. Impose additional requirements to protect against health hazards related to the operation of temporary food establishments/
   II. May prohibit the sale of some or all potentially hazardous foods.
   III. May waive or modify requirements when it is reasonably determined that no health hazard will result.


You can reach us at Luckenbach Tx for more information. You can also call them at (830) 997-3224.

Click here to download, you will be required to have a signed copy of this the morning of the cook-off. We will have some printed out for you to sign on-site.