- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Checotah Today
By the People, for the People
18th Annual Chili Cook-Off Returns to Checotah
Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery to host popular community event with prizes, auctions, and more.
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off is set for Saturday, February 28th at the First Free Will Baptist Life Center in Checotah, Oklahoma. The event features a chili competition with cash prizes for the top finishers, as well as a silent auction, live auction, gun raffle, door prizes, and commemorative t-shirts and sweatshirts. Proceeds from the event benefit the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery.
Why it matters
The Chili Cook-Off is a long-standing community tradition in Checotah that brings residents together for food, fun, and fundraising to support the local Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery. The event has become a popular annual highlight, drawing crowds and generating excitement in the town.
The details
The chili competition will have judging starting at 4 p.m. sharp, so competitors must have their chili ready by 3:45 p.m. Prizes include $500 for 1st place, $250 for 2nd place, and $100 for 3rd place. The event is open to the public starting at 5 p.m., with admission costing $8 for adults and $6 for kids ages 7-11 (6 and under eat free). In addition to the chili, there will be a silent auction, live auction, gun raffle, door prizes, and commemorative t-shirts and sweatshirts available for purchase.
- The 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off is set for Saturday, February 28, 2026.
- Judging for the chili competition will start at 4 p.m. on February 28th.
- The event will be open to the public starting at 5 p.m. on February 28th.
The players
Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery
A local museum and gallery that preserves the history and culture of the Checotah area. The Chili Cook-Off is a fundraiser to benefit the museum.
LaDonna Rhodes
A board member of the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery who is coordinating the chili competition judging.
What’s next
Interested judges for the chili competition can contact LaDonna Rhodes at 479-422-4210. Raffle tickets for the gun drawing can be purchased in advance at Checotah Gun & Pawn, Checotah Chamber of Commerce, and Checotah Perk.
The takeaway
The Chili Cook-Off is a beloved annual tradition in Checotah that brings the community together through food, fundraising, and friendly competition. By supporting the event, residents can enjoy a fun day out while also contributing to the preservation of the town's local history and culture at the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery.
