The Wells Chili-Fest has been a popular, traditional late summer event for Wells. The event is presented by the Wells, Maine Chamber of Commerce and the Chili Cook-Offs are sanctioned by and run in accordance to the rules of the International Chili Society.  Cash prizes and plaques are awarded for winners in each of the cook-off categories.  All winners of the Wells Chili-Fest ICS sanctioned cook-offs qualify to compete for further cash prizes and awards at the World’s Championship Chili Cook-off.  ICS cook-off competition is for ICS members. The ICS is the largest food contest, festival organization in the world.

The Annual Wells Chili-Fest takes place at Wells Junior High School, Route 1, Wells, Maine. This year’s event will take place on Saturday August 23, 2025. This will be the 24th year of our Chili-Fest. We will have the Joe Harvey Invitational Cook-Off once again this year.  Our event is sanctioned by the International Chili Society and winners in various categories (Chili, Chili Verde, Homestyle and Salsa) will qualify to advance to the ICS World Championships.

If you would like to become one of our sponsors, we have several levels of sponsorship from which you may choose.  Please visit our Sponsorship page for more details.

If you are a vendor and want to sell your products at our event, please go to our Vendors page for more information.

If you would like to enter into the Chili contest in any of the core categories (Red Chili, Chili Verde, Homestyle and Salsa), then please go to out Contest Forms page for more information.

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