Chili & Soup Cookoff

Join Downtown Bedford, Inc. for the 12th annual Chili and Soup Cookoff on Saturday, January 17, 2026 (Inclement Weather Date March 7).

Enjoy taste testing a variety of chili and soup entries as restaurants serve up their best to try to capture your vote. You be the judge!

Turn in your ballot for a chance to win $50 in Bedford Bucks, which spend like cash at participating downtown merchants.

Tickets will be available in stores starting December 12th at Aesthetics by Kell, Bella Terra Bedford, Juli’s Wearable Art, Olde Bedford Brewing Company or at the DBI Office.

To begin tasting, bring your ticket to registration at either Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) or Founder’s Crossing by 1pm.

Thank you to our main sponsors State Farm Agents - Matt Randall and Michael Meehan, SAC Energy, and our supporting businesses Bedford County Visitors Bureau, Pigeon Hill Studios and Burgmeier's Hauling.

The second annual Spice & Ice Crawl in Downtown Bedford, PA will be held January 16-18, 2026! This event will include Ice Sculptures placed throughout downtown and in the public square on January 16th - 18th (free to attend), a Chili and Soup Cookoff Event on January 17th (must purchase ticket for this event), and a Hot Chocolate Crawl on January 18th (free to attend).