Frederick Oklahoma’s
Chilifest
Frederick Chilifest:
A Community Celebration of Food & Fun
Get ready to spice up your autumn! The Frederick Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to present the inaugural Frederick Chilifest, a newly reimagined event building on the beloved 20-year legacy of the Cotton Festival Chili Cook Off. On Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM, downtown Frederick will come alive with the sounds of live music and the delicious aroma of a championship chili cook-off. This family-friendly evening is all about firing up our community spirit, celebrating local flavor, and bringing a vibrant energy to the heart of our city. Mark your calendars for an unforgettable night of food, fun, and Frederick pride!
…From a Classic Tradition to a Spicy New Celebration!
For nearly 20 years, our community has gathered every fall to celebrate the Frederick Cotton Festival. It was a wonderful tradition that honored our town's roots, but let's be honest—a certain spicy aroma quickly began to steal the show.
The Chili Cook-Off soon became the undisputed main event. It was the part of the day everyone crowded around, where secret family recipes were put to the test and the friendly competition for a year's worth of bragging rights got hotter every single year. The chili cook-off was where the real sizzle was.
As our town looks to the future, we asked ourselves: "What part of this tradition sparks the most excitement?" The answer was unanimous.
So, we decided to take the part of the festival everyone loved most and turn the heat all the way up. Welcome to the Frederick Chilifest!
This is the evolution of a 20-year legacy—an all-out celebration of food, live music, and pure community spirit right in the heart of downtown. We're carrying forward the same goal of bringing everyone together, but now we're doing it with a renewed focus on fun. It’s the tradition you love, reimagined to be a little louder, a little spicier, and a whole lot of fun!
Last year Kristy Barnett won the People’s Choice Award!
We always have lots of local support from the community!
The chili cook off is always full of heat! This isn’t a lazy competition…
Applications + More Info
2025 Chilifest
November 1, 2025
Get Ready for the freshly
re-peppered 18th Annual Frederick Chilifest!
Mark your calendars, Frederick! The crisp autumn air means one thing: it's almost time for our beloved Chilifest. Join your friends and neighbors on Saturday, November 1, 2025, for an evening of family fun, delicious food, and community celebration right here in the heart of Frederick.
The evening is packed with activities for everyone:
5:30 PM: Chili Cook-Off & Entertainment by Parker Caskey Begins
7:00 PM: Southern Weather takes the stage with live music from several genres including Cumbia, Southern Rock, Classic Country and more! Wear your dancing boots…
The heart of the festival is our famous Chili Cook-Off! For just a $10 ticket, you can sample chili from all our talented teams, cast your vote for the "People's Choice" award, and then enjoy a full bowl with all the fixings. Tickets can be purchased in advance from our office or at the Chamber booth on the day of the event.
Beyond the chili, the Chamber will be serving up classic festival treats like corn dogs, cotton candy, and candy apples.
Be a Part of the Fun!
We are looking for participants to make this the best festival yet!
Chili Cooks Wanted! Think you've got the best chili in Tillman County? Prove it! We’re looking for contestants to compete for trophies, prize money, and ultimate bragging rights. You can cook on-site or bring your chili pre-made. All types are welcome! $30 per team (includes 2 music tickets). Details + Applications are available here.
Vendor Booths - Now Closed
For more information, or to get an application for the Chili Cook-Off or a vendor booth, please call the Frederick Chamber of Commerce at 580-335-2126.
We can't wait to celebrate our community with you on November 1st!
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This year we are ONLY taking Food and Drink Vendors. Please click here for the application.
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Check back soon for our 2025 map.
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Official
In this competition the chili will be blindly judged and scorecards will be based on the following characteristics:
Aroma
Texture
Flavor
Color
People’s Choice Award
The People’s Choice Award will be chosen by the public. After purchasing a ticket for the Chili Cook Off, the ticket holder will show their ticket to get a sample of your team’s chili. Make sure you mark the ticket with the marker provided and then using the 2 oz. sample cups provided, give the ticket holder a sample of your chili.
Once the ticket holder has sampled each team’s chili, they will vote by placing their ticket into your team’s voting container (provided)- at that time you may then serve them one bowl of your team’s chili. Once you are out of chili or wish to leave, make sure you turn in your ticket container to the Chamber booth. The container with the highest number of tickets will be awarded the “People’s Choice Award” and cash prize.
Questions?Contact the Frederick Chamber of Commerce by calling (580) 335-2126 or email frederickcc@pldi.net
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FAQ + FYI
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The event runs from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. If you have a chili tasting ticket, we highly recommend arriving right at 5:30 PM for the best selection! Chili is available while supplies last.
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Please bring your own lawn chairs to relax and enjoy the music! We will have food and drink vendors on-site for all your refreshment needs.
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Yes, for the safety and enjoyment of all attendees, no outside food or drinks of any kind are permitted. This includes tumblers, water bottles, and any other reusable drink cups. All bags are subject to search.
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We recommend parking at the Tillman County Courthouse on Main + Gladstone if you don’t mind a short walk. Otherwise we suggest parking on Floral Avenue.
Please note: We will have some of Main blocked off for Chili Teams, so don’t plan to park there. We will also have south 9th blocked off and part of North 9th.
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We have dedicated express pickup lines!
Chili Only: Corner of 9th & Grand
Music Only: Corner of 10th & Grand
All-Access Pass: Either location!
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Yes! A limited number of tickets will be available at the entrance, but the fastest way to get in is to buy online beforehand at https://frederickokchamber.org/chili.
We can't wait to celebrate with you all on Saturday!
2024 Cotton Festival Gallery
