Terlingua, Texas becomes anything but a ghost town once a year thanks to the International Chili Championship. For 51 years now this small town goes from population: less than 100, to population: 20,000—all for the love of chili!

This is not child’s play; this is an all-in chili masters’ fight. The Terlingua competition began 51 years ago and returns every year to Big Bend country. Hundreds of cooks compete throughout the year in hopes of receiving an invitation to the cook-off. Your taste buds are in for a spicy treat with these cream- of-the-crop cooks! Purchase a $40 ticket at the gate and you can attend a weekend of activities and taste chili to your heart’s desire.

The weekend-long event takes place Nov. 1 – 4 and is split into two festivals, the Original Terlingua International Championship Chili Cookoff and the Terlingua International Chili Championship, just a few miles from each other. Both include cooking competitions and raise money to benefit local Terlingua charities.

If this is your first rodeo, check out The Virgin’s Guide to Terlingua. Experienced festival goers are known to make this a week-long event. No matter how long you plan to stay, fill up your RVs, pack your tents and head on over to chili-palooza and be ready to enjoy the best people, live music, and of course, chili.