-Messenger file photo
Mandy Armstrong, left, and Jade Kepler and “head chef” Sonia Kepler, serve some of their chili to Ron Huffman, of Rockwell City, during a previous Fort Dodge Chili Cook-Off in 2018.

Gallons upon gallons of homemade chili will be awaiting hungry judges and community members next Saturday at the Fort Museum Opera House.

The 39th annual Chili Cook-Off presented by the Fort Dodge Chili Lovers Society kicks off at 9 a.m. Dec. 18 and for $5 attendees can start tasting at noon.

Justin Goodno, who has helped organize the event for about 20 years, said the event has become a tradition every year and it holds a special place in his memories.

“My dad had a presence out at the Fort and I’ve kind of maintained that,” he said. “We just always thought the Fort was real special. It’s a great place to have memories of and to make more.”

Goodno added, “Being able to get together with friends and different people who like chili to have the cook-off has just become a staple.”

He likes the fact that the cook-off is a way to support the Fort Museum as well by renting the space for the event.

Goodno said they will have special chili mugs for the first few hundred people in line.

There will also be a speed eating chili contest beginning at 1 p.m. and then an award ceremony for the cook-off contestants at 3 p.m.

Mojo Productions, of Britt, will be playing music from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Goodno said they decided to cancel the bags tournament.

Goodno said so far they have six or seven teams pre-registered with some local and some coming from out of town.

“Hopefully we’ll have some surprise teams show up that day,” he said.

Goodno knows there’s several events happening on the same evening, so he hopes people will come out earlier in the day.

“I hope everybody’s able to come in and get some lunch and help support the Fort,” he said.