Ice sculptures, bed races and chili: Check out downtown Port Huron's Chilly Fest

McKenna Golat, Port Huron Times Herald
·3 min read
Employees from Senor Tequila scoop chili during the 2023 Chilly Fest Chili Crawl. This year, there are 16 participating restaurants in the competition.
Employees from Senor Tequila scoop chili during the 2023 Chilly Fest Chili Crawl. This year, there are 16 participating restaurants in the competition.

PORT HURON - Dot's Candy Bar staff are taking no chances with their preparation for the Chili Crawl Competition during Chilly Fest.

Owner Beth Wesler said she and her staff have been looking at previous Chilly Fest results to get a good idea on how to prepare for the first time competing.

Beth Welser at Dot's Candy Bar on March 21, 2023.
Beth Welser at Dot's Candy Bar on March 21, 2023.

The chili from Dot's Candy Bar has been in Wesler's family for generations. It has been dubbed 'Grandpa's Chili.'

"As my assistant put it, (Grandpa's chili) warms the tummy and the heart," Welser said.

Chilly Fest is taking place on Friday and Saturday. It's the annual winter festival in Port Huron and includes a chili cook-off competition, live music and other activities like cornhole tournaments, carriage rides and bed races.

Also new to Chilly Fest is Bootlegger's Axe Co. General Manager Jeff Bennett said the restaurant is hoping for a victory.

Bootlegger's is also under the same ownership as Wings Ect. Bennett said there is a healthy, friendly rivalry between the two restaurants for the chili cook-off.

"I can safely say we're all very excited to make our own recipes and just be a part of Chilly Fest," Bennett said.

Annual competitor Chef Shell's Restaurant and Catering is also excited for Chilly Fest. Manager Jeanne Nichols said the staff of Chef Shell's love to participate in downtown activities. She said being able to show off the restaurant's homemade chili is always a great time.

People ice skate at McMorran Plaza at the 2023 Chilly Fest. This year's Chilly Fest will take place on Feb. 2 and 3.
People ice skate at McMorran Plaza at the 2023 Chilly Fest. This year's Chilly Fest will take place on Feb. 2 and 3.

With Chilly Fest bringing over 3,000 people to Port Huron, Downtown Development Authority Director Natacha Hayden said it gives great visibility to local businesses.

"That's why we do the event, and also for the fun of it," Hayden said. "It gives the community something to look forward to during the winter months."

New this year to Chilly Fest is the partnership with Wrigley Hall. Many live concerts will be taking place at this venue on Friday and Saturday evening.

Chili, special events and live music

The bulk of activities for Chilly Fest are taking place on Saturday.

Activities will kick off at 8:45 a.m. with the PoHo Hot Cocoa Run. The race will take runners through downtown and along the St. Clair River. This year, there will be four courses with a 10 mile, 10K, 5K and a Kids' 1 mile. The giant chocolate after party will be held at Wrigley Hall with BandWagon providing live music.

A highlight of Chilly Fest is, of course, the Chili Crawl Competition. From noon to 3:45 p.m., people can sample 16 different kinds of chili that were prepared by downtown restaurants. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased day-of at McMorran Plaza or online at the Chilly Fest website.

The winner of the competition will be announced at 6 p.m. at Wrigley Hall.

The participating restaurants are as follows:

  • Bella Bolla

  • Bootleggers Axe Co.

  • Chef Shell's Restaurant and Catering

  • Dot's Candy Bar

  • Jamaican Jerk

  • Lynch's Irish Tavern

  • Mama Vicki's Coney Island Downtown

  • No Forks Given

  • Raven Cafe

  • Senor Tequila

  • Smoke on the Water BBQ and Catering

  • Sperry's Movie House

  • What the Fry

  • Wings Ect.

  • Wrigley Hall

  • Zebra Lounge

One of the bed race teams running toward the finish line at Chilly Fest 2023.
One of the bed race teams running toward the finish line at Chilly Fest 2023.

Another anticipated event is the Bed Races, which will be taking place at 3 p.m. Watch as teams of five dressed in their best pajamas race each other in decorated beds. Winners receive a trophy and prizes from local businesses.

The last day to enter the race is Monday. Entry is $25 per team.

People meandering around downtown will notice the multiple ice sculptures in front of local businesses as well, creating a cool, icy atmosphere for Chilly Fest. Find the full list on the Chilly Fest website, www.chillyfest.org.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Chilly Fest 2024 Port Huron