{"id":150927,"date":"2026-09-08T22:44:59","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T02:44:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevalleyledger.com\/?p=150927"},"modified":"2026-09-08T22:44:59","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T02:44:59","slug":"get-fired-up-this-fall-chilifest-returns-to-bethlehem-for-its-30th-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevalleyledger.com\/?p=150927","title":{"rendered":"Get fired up this Fall: ChiliFest returns to Bethlehem for it’s 30th Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

BETHLEHEM, PA., September 8, 2026 \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>If you\u2019ve ever wanted to dress up as a pepper, this is your chance! Bethlehem is celebrating 30 years of its annual chili competition this fall with the return of ChiliFest on Saturday, October 17, from 12\u20135 PM.<\/p>\n

Begun in 1996, the original chili cook-off was part of SouthSide Bethlehem\u2019s bygone \u201cSpring on 3rd, What\u2019s on 4th?\u201d celebration. Over the years, the cook-off evolved into ChiliFest, now held each October in the SouthSide Arts District. Local eateries and businesses throughout the district compete for special awards, with winners determined by festivalgoers and a panel of local celebrity judges.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoing feels like a warm hug on a chilly day\u2014if you\u2019ll pardon the pun,\u201d says Erin Zebertavage, Downtown Manager for the SouthSide Arts District. \u201cBut you have to come hungry. There\u2019s a reason we call it \u2018the ultimate chili challenge!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

To take part, guests can purchase a ChiliFest passport which includes a sample of every competing chili along the event trail, plus a commemorative spoon celebrating the festival\u2019s 30th anniversary. Last year, 24 locations competed for ChiliFest honors. The 2026 participating locations will be announced in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

Passports are $35 and available for purchase through the SouthSide Arts District website. An official ChiliFest 30th Anniversary T-shirt is coming soon, with pre-orders opening online in the coming weeks. Shirts can be picked up on the day of the event alongside ChiliFest passports.<\/p>\n

The celebration will culminate with the announcement of the 2026 Chili Champions at 5:30 PM on the ChiliFest main stage, located on the South Bethlehem Greenway between New and Adams Streets.<\/p>\n

Attendees can bring a nonperishable donation for the Bethlehem Parking Authority\u2019s food drive benefiting the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley Food Pantry. Donations can be dropped off at the SouthSide Arts District Office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and donors will receive two hours of free parking in Bethlehem\u2019s New Street Garage.<\/p>\n

The afternoon will feature live music from:<\/p>\n