JANUARY 17 – 19, 2025
Join Us for the Big Chilly: Polar Bear Plunge & Chili Cook-Off!
Are you ready to spice up your winter with a dash of chili and a splash of icy fun? Then don’t miss the annual Big Chilly – Polar Bear Plunge & Chili Cook-Off! Whether you’re a die-hard chili cook, brave enough to plunge into the frigid Atlantic, or both, this is one weekend you won’t want to miss in St Augustine Beach! Best of all, proceeds go to the Matanzas Riverkeeper, supporting clean, drinkable, fishable, and swimmable waters in our local rivers. It’s fun with a cause – eco is on!
Polar Bear Plunge
Bundle up – or don’t! – and take the plunge on Saturday, January 18th at the Guy Harvey Resort’s beachfront. Yes, it’s January, and yes, it’s going to be COLD! Dare to dive into the frosty waves, either solo or with a team, and don’t forget to make a splash with your costume and float! Prizes will be awarded for Best Individual Costume and Best Team Spirit. Get creative, have fun, and plunge for a purpose! Registration opens at 10 AM on Saturday.
Chili Cook-Off
Calling all chili masters! This is your chance to show off your chili-crafting skills in our International Chili Society (ICS)-sanctioned Chili Cook-Off. Compete in one or more categories: Traditional Red, Homestyle, Verde, and Veggie on either or both Saturday or Sunday for a chance to earn a spot to the ICS World Championships.
Chili Tastings
But wait, there’s more – this isn’t just for the pros. The real taste-testers are YOU! From 12:00 – 3:30 PM on Saturday, attendees can sample the chili creations and cast their vote for the People’s Choice Big Chilly Champion. May the best chili win!
Be There for the Fun!
Whether you’re diving into the Atlantic or diving into a bowl of chili, this event promises to warm your heart and chill your bones! So grab your swimsuit, gather your friends, and join us for a weekend full of flavor, fun, and fundraising.
Plungers and Chili Cooks, get ready – the Big Chilly is coming!
Proceeds for the event will be donated to Matanzas Riverkeeper, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the health of the Guana, Tolomato, Matanzas rivers and their watershed through advocacy, education, and community engagement.
Matanzas Riverkeeper’s work includes everything from advocating for stronger water quality protections, to organizing waterway cleanups, to teaching children and adults how to be good stewards of our environment. Waterkeepers combine firsthand knowledge of their waterways with an unwavering commitment to the right to clean, safe water.
Matanzas Riverkeeper is a project of The Friends of the Matanzas, a non-profit organization that has been fighting to protect the Matanzas River since the early 90s. Since its inception, Friends of the Matanzas has spoken out against poorly planned developments that would harm the Matanzas River or its tributaries.
On Friday, January 17, join Matanzas Riverkeeper in their monthly Oyster Roast at $50 / person. At the event you can register for the Polar Bear Plunge and purchase chili tasting tickets. Cook Teams can enjoy the Oyster Roast as all proceeds will benefit Matanzas Riverkeeper.
TICKETS • ACCOMODATIONS • REGISTRATION
Calling all Plungers, Ger your Big CHilly on & WIN a YETI Cooler!
Start off the New Year at our Big Chilly Polar Bear Plunge taking place beachside behind the Guy Harvey Resort St. Augustine Beach on Saturday, January 18th. We’re looking for plungers to help us beat the 2015 Guiness World Record with 1,799 polar bear wannabees!
Registration is open thru the start of the plunge.
Pricing
- $10 Plunge
(includes Chili Tasting Tickets) - $10 Chili Tasting Only
Plungers Awards
- Best Floatie
- Best Dressed
- Best Dressed Team
For all who participate in the Polar Bear Plunge you will be entered into a drawing to win a YETI Cooler!
EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday, January 17, 2025
5.00 PM – 7:00 PM
Polar Bear Plunge Pre-Registration & Cook Reception Oyster Roast
Genung’s Fish Camp (291 Cubbedge Road, St Augustine. FL 32080) – $50 / Person for Oyster Roast to benefit Matanzas Riverkeeper.
Saturday, January 18, 2025
| Chili Cook Team Setup | 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM |
|---|---|
| Mandatory Cook’s Team Meeting | 7:45 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Polar Bear Plunge Check-in & Registrations | 11:00 AM |
| Plungers Cocktail, Coffee or Cocoa Pre Hype Toast | 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Polar Bear Plunge | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM |
| Chili Tastings – (People’s Choice – $10 / Person) | 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM |
| Polar Bear Plunge Awards | 1:30 PM – 1:45 PM |
| Chili Cook-off Awards | 4:30 PM |
Sunday, January 19, 2025
(Cook Team Contest Only, No Tastings on Sunday)
| Chili Cook Team Setup | 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM |
|---|---|
| Mandatory Cook’s Team Meeting | 7:45 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Cook Stove’s Light | 8:00 AM |
| Chili Awards | 3:00 PM |
Calling all Pepperheads. Get your Big Chilly on!
Whether a chiseled chili cook or just jumping into the pot, we encourage cooks of all levels to join the fun. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn from the pros and join in Chili Cook nation comradery.
This is a 2 Contest (Saturday and Sunday) ICS Sanctioned Event and teams can compete in either or both days. Register for adult or youth divisions in any or all of the Traditional Red, Homestyle, Verde or Veggie categories. Teams required to make 2 gallons of chili for the People’s Choice Competition which can be any type of chili.
People’s Choice: Saturday Only – January 18th only, from 12:00 – 3:30 pm.
Teams must be a member of the International Chili Society to compete. To become a member please visit: http://www.chilicookoff.com/register.
CHILI COOK-OFF TEAM ENTRIES
- Adult Division: $10 Per Entry for Traditional Red, Homestyle, Verde and Veggie Categories.
- Youth Division: No Charge!
All registrations Include a designated 10 x 10 cook space. Cooks must provide their own canopy/tent, tables & chairs, and supplies.
COOK TIMES
| SATURDAY | SUNDAY | |
|---|---|---|
| CATEGORIES | STOVE LIGHT – TURN IN | STOVE LIGHT – TURN IN |
| VEGGIE | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
| HOMESTYLE | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| VERDE | 11:00 AM – 2:OO PM | 10:00 AM – 1:OO PM |
| RED | 12:0O PM – 3:00 PM | 11:0O AM – 2:00 PM |
COOK TEAM CATEGORIES
Traditional Red
Traditional Red Chili is any kind of meat, or combination of meats, cooked with red chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients. Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed. Preference is not given to either cut meat, ground meat, shredded meat or cubed meat.
- 1st Place Red – 12.5% of Chili Entries
- 2nd Place Red – 7.5% of Chili Entries
- 3rd Place Red – 5% of Chili Entries
Homestyle
Homestyle Chili is any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients. Homestyle chili may be any color. Beans are required. Preference is not given to either cut meat, ground meat, shredded meat or cubed meat. Seafood is allowed.
- 1st Place Homestyle – 12.5% of Chili Entries
- 2nd Place Homestyle – 7.5% of Chili Entries
- 3rd Place Homestyle – 5% of Chili Entries
Verde Chili
Chili Verde is any kind of meat, or combination of meats, cooked with green chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients. Non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed. Preference is not given to either cut meat, ground meat, shredded meat or cubed meat.
- 1st Place Verde – 12.5% of Chili Entries
- 2nd Place Verde – 7.5% of Chili Entries
- 3rd Place Verde – 5% of Chili Entries
VEGGIE CHILI
Veggie Chili is any kind of vegetable ,or combination of vegetables, cooked with chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients. The use of meat and/or any meat by-products is not allowed. The use of soy and meatless “meat” substitutes is allowed. Veggie Chili can be any color.
- 1st Place Veggie – 12.5% of Chili Entries
- 2nd Place Veggie – 7.5% of Chili Entries
- 3rd Place Veggie – 5% of Chili Entries
Follow Us