It is hard to recall if you just arrived here, but The Gilmore Collection of Michigan and Colorado humble beginnings started with the 1978 Thornapple Village Inn in Ada, MI. And since that time they have grown steadily in our community with a series of popular eateries including their downtown signature property, The B.O.B. (or Big Ol’ Building).
And while they have hosted more events than we can print, their annual
Chilly, Blues, & Brews East is arriving this weekend for their sixth outing of this popular chili cook-off and hot pepper eating contest set in the heart of downtown.
For this special event, more than 50 teams—made up of professionals and amateurs—will compete at The B.O.B. for the 2018 bragging rights of best chili at the Chilly, Blues, and Brews East, which is presented in collaboration with WLAV FM and MSU Gran Fondo.
This is a free, family-friendly event that will include the afternoon chili cook-off and hot pepper eating contest, which includes a day of live blues and Michigan craft beer flowing into the early hours of Sunday. (The event wraps at 2 a.m.)
The runs are fairly simple: each chili entry must involve a Michigan craft beer as an ingredient. The $1000 prize and Golden Ladle Trophy will be awarded to the best professional and amateur chili aficionados who will compete for the grand prize. Last year, Team Voodoo won first place for Judge's Best Overall Chili using Bell's Best Brown.
Other teammates can also win in other food categories such as Best Vegetarian/Vegan Chili, Spiciest Chili, and Best Dressed Team.
A portion of the day’s proceeds will benefit skin cancer research via MSU Gran Fondo.
Here is the schedule for the 2018 Chilly, Blues and Brews East:
1:00 p.m. Chili tasting (open to the public)
3:00 p.m. Hot chili pepper eating contest (Must be 18 years and older)
12:00 - 2:00 a.m. Live music at H.O.M.E., B.O.B.’s Brewery, Bobarino’s, and Eve
For more information on Chilly, Blues, and Brews East and other upcoming events at The B.O.B., visit their
website.