20
Sep
Pueblo will celebrate the harvest of the Mira Sol Chile at the 24th annual Chile & Frijoles Festival Presented by Loaf ‘N Jug, September 21-23, 2018. The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce created the festival as a fun fall event designed to promote the area’s agriculture, especially its home-grown chilies, as well as to display the works of many talented artisans and craftsmen. In the past 24 years, the festival has grown from a few thousand people to over 140,000 people. The festival will take place in downtown Pueblo, on Union Avenue between City Center Drive and “B” Street. Festival hours are Friday, 3pm-12am; Saturday, 10am-12am; Sunday, 10am-6pm. The festival is $5 per person, children under 12 are free as well as active-duty military personnel with I.D. Wheel Chairs are available for rent at Gate 1, (City Center & Union).
ME+3 (3 Day) Pass
Save big with a Me+3 (3Day) Pass sold exclusively at Pueblo Loaf ‘N Jug Locations for only $20. The Me+3 Pass is admission into the festival for 3 days for 4 people. A savings of $40! Pick up a pass at your favorite Loaf ‘N Jug location today!
Continuous Live Entertainment
The 24th Annual Chile & Frijoles Festival Presented by Loaf ‘N Jug will feature continuous live entertainment throughout the 3-day festival. Five entertainments tents will be filled with local dance groups and local bands. Music aficionados can expect to sample genres including rock, folk, R&B, blues, Tejano, original, pop and more in the lineup that will feature more than 40 local bands. The five entertainment tents include Pueblo Toyota Entertainment Tent (Victoria & Grand), Triple Crown Casinos Entertainment Tent (South Main St. & Alan Hamel), Pueblo Dodge, Chrysler Jeep RAM Entertainment Tent (D Street & Union), Colorado State University-Pueblo Entertainment Tent (C Street & Union), and Pueblo Sister Cities Entertainment Tent (Angelo’s Pizza Parking Lot). An additional Entertainment Stage will be located in the 300 block of Union Ave. on Saturday and Sunday of the festival featuring the Magic of “Mr. E” and Kyle Groves and musical performances by the Ortega Brothers.
Rusler Produce Frijoles Farmers Market
In the fields east of Pueblo Hwy. 50, you can find every kind of pepper imaginable – from bell peppers to yellow wax peppers, sweet and hot Anaheim to jalapenos. But the most flavorful of them all is the Mira Sol Chile or Pueblo Chile as the locals refer to it. The festival is the perfect place to experience the flavor of these award-winning peppers as the farmers fire-roast their Chile and sample their products. While the Pueblo Chile is the star of the farmers’ market you can also purchase a wide variety of farm fresh produce while taking in the sights and sounds of Southern Colorado’s premier fall festival. The Farmers Market is sponsored by Rusler Produce, Inc.
Complimentary Shuttle Service
Beat the parking hassle with our FREE shuttle service! Park at the Midtown Shopping Center (1000 W. 6th Street) and catch the shuttle to the festival. The shuttle will drop riders in the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) parking lot. The shuttle will run Friday the 21st from 5pm-12am, Saturday the 22nd from 10am-12am and Sunday the 23rd from 11am-6pm.
Chili & Salsa Showdown Sponsored By: Black Hills Energy
The festival will heat things up with the Chile & Salsa Showdown Sponsored by Black Hills Energy. The food competition will be held at the Pueblo Convention Center. The commercial competition will take place on Saturday, September 22nd, 2018. Winners of each category for the commercial entries will receive $500 along with bragging rights. Non-commercial will take place on Sunday, September 23rd, entries will be awarded prizes for the top three places; first place will receive $100, second place will receive $50 and third place will receive $25. Both commercial and non-commercial have three categories that will be judged including the best red chili, green chili and salsa. For more information please visit pueblochilefestivalinfo.com/events or contact the Chamber at 719.542.1704.
Hot To Trot 5K & 10K Run, 2 Mile Walk and Kiddie K
The Hot To Trot 5K & 10K Run, 2 mile Walk and Kiddie K, that will be held on Sunday, September 23rd at the Gold Dust Saloon, 217 S. Union Ave., in Pueblo’s Historic District. For more information contact Ruth McDonald at 719-251-3189.
Jalapeno Eating Contest Sponsored By: Colorado Lottery
HOT! HOT! HOT! That is what participants of last year’s annual Jalapeno Eating Contest are saying. This year during the 24th Annual Chile & Frijoles Festival Presented by Loaf ‘N Jug, things are sure to be just as hot. Individuals interested in competing in the Jalapeno Eating Contest can pick up entry forms at the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce booth (located on Union & Grand Ave.) at the festival. $1 entry fee per person and must be 18 years old to enter. 1st place wins a $100, second place wins $50 and Judges Choice wins $50. The competition will be held Sunday, September 23rd at 4:00pm in the Pueblo Toyota Entertainment Tent at the festival.
Chihuahuas on Parade Sponsored By: Black Hills Energy
Enter your cute, wiggly, and wild pooch in the Chihuahua Parade to be held at the Pueblo Sister Cities Entertainment Tent on Saturday, September 22nd at 2 pm. Categories include Best Costume, Best Shaker, Channel Your Inner Chihuahua (all breeds encouraged, give us your best Chihuahua), and Most Macho! Prizes provided by Animal Kingdom Pet Shop & Grooming Salon, Pet Paradise, and PetSmart. $5 entry fee.
Win an All-Inclusive Trip to Spain for Four Plus $3,000 Cash!
Register for a chance to win an ALL-INCLUSIVE trip for 4 to Spain with $3,000 Cash! Participate in a brief survey at the BGV Marketing terminals in any of the entertainment gardens and other select festival locations to be entered to win.
Enjoy Live Cooking Demos & Free Samples from PCC’s Culinary Arts Department
Watch and enjoy live as Pueblo Community College’s culinary arts masters show you how to prepare some unique dishes inspired by Pueblo Chile and other farm-fresh produce! Demos will take place on Saturday, September 22nd from 11:15-12:15 pm and Sunday, September 23rd from 11:15-12:15 pm.
For more information: http://festival.pueblochamber.org