Oct 28! Mark your calendar for Chili Cookoff on the River 2023, up on the river batture, Main Stage side, the best place to be on that day! By that time, we won’t be in this heat wave we are all complaining about now. Gretna Fest will be long over and everyone will be rested and ready for good food, good music and a good time! Its LSU’s bye week, so Chili won’t interfere with your favorite college game!
Registration is now open for Cooking Teams to compete in the Cookoff with judging done in a blind method. It costs $100 per team for up to four members. The team must supply at least 30 pounds of meat for their recipe and their own cooking utensils. The Cookoff supplies serving bowls, spoons, napkins, trash containers and bags, and a fun time for the cookers.
Cooking Team Applications can be obtained online at stjosephgretna.com or can be picked up at the Gretna Visitors Center, 1035 Huey P. Long Avenue (504.363.1580) and at St. Joseph Church Office, 610 Sixth Street in Gretna (504.368.1313.) Call first to clarify hours open. Completed application with the $100 entry fee can be dropped off at either location.
Since last year’s Chili Cookoff had to be cancelled due to inclement weather, there is much excitement about this year’s competition. Also due to the cancellation, this will be the first actual year to host the event on the Main Stage side of the river batture. This means much more space amid the quadrants of teams as well as more space for attendees to enjoy. We won’t have the bleachers available as on the amphitheater side, so it’s very important that guests bring your own chairs, just like you do for Gretna Fest and other events.
The Cookoff, 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 at very reasonable prices.
Gulf Coast Bank & Trust is the Event Sponsor and there are two levels of sponsorships available with great advertising possibilities.
A true family event, a FREE Kid’s Korner with face painting, games and prizes featuring Miss Cindy from the Gretna Farmers Market. A fire truck and firemen from David Crockett Fire Company No. 1 will be there for the children to learn about fire prevention.
Advance tickets are $10 and so is the entrance fee at the gate on the day of the event. BUT, Advance Tickets go into a FREE DRAWING for gift cards and use of a shorter line upon entrance. 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 St. Joseph Church, 610 Sixth St. after all Masses or the Church Office (504.368.1313) and at the Gretna Visitors Center, 1035 Huey P. Long Ave. (504.363.1580.) As of Sept. 1, Advance tickets will be also be available at all Gulf Coast Bank Westbank locations.
Raffle Tickets are also now being sold at St. Joseph Church office and in church after all Masses. Tickets are $50 each for one $5,000 and four (4) $500 drawings. Winner need not be present to win, but must be 18 years of age to purchase. No more than 500 tickets will be sold. Drawings will be pulled at the band break at the Chili Cookoff.
Visit us on Facebook. Call Helen Williams at 504.450.8481 for information on cooking teams and sponsorships.
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