It’s Chili Week in Gretna, with great weather expected! What wasn’t expected is a change in the location of the Cookoff. It’s still on the River Batture, but will be on the Amphitheater side instead of the Main Stage side. The City of Gretna moved us to the newly enlarged amphitheater side with bleachers and other amenities and we are ready!

Advance tickets are $10 and so is the entrance fee on the day of the event. BUT, Advance Tickets go into a FREE DRAWING and the use of a shorter line upon entrance. The winner MUST be present to win. Drawing will be between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m. Children 12 and under are free.

Advance tickets are available at the Gretna Visitors Center, 1035 Huey P. Long Ave. (504.363.1580), St. Joseph Church, 610 Sixth St. after all Masses or the Church Office (504.368.1313) and at all Gulf Coast Bank Westbank locations. 

Chili Cookoff on the River 2023, open to the public from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., offers all the chili you can eat and music that starts at 12:30 p.m. by “Na Na Sha,” a great band from Gonzales, LA.  Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase.  

A true family event, Chili Cookoff on the River started in 2018. What a great time we had that year. Due to a hurricane in Mexico, the river rose and the batture was covered with water. We held the first Cookoff in the parking lot on Huey P. Long and 2nd Street and all went well. Here are a few throwback pictures from that event.                     GG263-GG272.JPG

A Free Kid’s Korner with face painting, games and prizes featuring Miss Cindy from the Gretna Farmers Market will be open. A fire truck and firemen from David Crockett Fire Company No. 1 will be there for the children to learn about fire prevention.

Raffle Tickets are also now being sold at the St. Joseph Church office or by calling 504.450.8481. Tickets are $50 each for (1) $5,000 and (4) $500 drawings. Hot News: we have added a 5th surprise prize to this drawing! Winner need NOT be present to win, but must be 18 years of age to purchase. Less than 500 tickets will be sold. The odds are in your favor. Drawings will be between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m. during the band break at the Chili Cookoff.

We thank Gulf Coast Bank & Trust, our Event Sponsor, all of our many other sponsors and those faithful volunteers who support us. All proceeds go to St. Joseph Restoration.   

Visit Chili Cookoff on the River 2023 on Facebook which is constantly being updated this week by that sweet girl from Houston, Cadie Hancock!  

We’ve added a Schedule for the event for your convenience:

“Chili Cookoff on the River 2023”

Schedule (Rev. 10/24/23)

Amphitheater Side – River Batture

1st Street & Huey P. Long Avenue

 11:00 a.m.      Chili Cookoff opens to the public.

 11:00 a.m.      Chili served to guests.

 12:00 p.m.      Kid’s Korner opens and offers fun until 3 p.m.

 12:30 p.m.      “Na Na Sha” band starts.

   2:30 p.m.      Chili Cookoff on the River Winners announced.

   2:30 p.m.      Advance Ticket Raffle Winners drawn. Must be present.  

   2:30 p.m.      $5,000 Raffle drawn. Winner need not be present.

   3:45 p.m.      50/50 Split Raffle drawn.

   4:00 p.m.      Band stops, Chili Cookoff on the River 2023 is over!

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