The Big Chilly at Guy Harvey's

From Friday, January 17 through Sunday, January 19, 2025, Guy Harvey Resorts hosts a weekend of fun with two headline events: A Polar Bear Plunge and a Chili Cook-off and Tasting. The event starts with an Oyster Roast Reception at Genung's Fish Camp, on Friday from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The oyster roast is open to the public and folks planning to participate come as polar bears and chili chefs during the weekend. Proceeds from the $50.00 fee for the oyster roast go to the Matanzas Riverkeeper, an organization that will also benefit from the weekend's other events. Go here for the full schedule, descriptions of the events, and a link to tickets.

Saturday Events

Guy Harvey Outpost Resort hosts two events on Saturday, January 18, 2025: a Polar Bear Plunge into the Atlantic Ocean and an ICS-sanctioned Chili Cook Off. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Matanzas Riverkeeper. There are several ways to participate in the The Big Chilly Cook-off:

• At noon, hardy souls who love the water can take the Big Chilly Polar Bear Plunge into the Atlantic. Unlike other official Polar Bear Plunges, there's no need to worry about ice on the water, though the water and air temps may be in the 50s. Plunge registration costs $10.00, which includes a ticket to the chili tasting on Saturday. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, and the plunge starts at noon. (It probably won't last too long.) Awards for the best-dressed plungers will be presented beginning at 1:30 p.m. 
• Chili teams will participate in the Chili Challenge Cook-off on Saturday and Sunday. The chili categories are Homestyle Chili, Verde Chili, Veggie Chili, and Traditional Red Chili, with judging on both days.
• On Saturday, the 18th the public can purchase tasting tickets and vote for their favorite Traditional Red Chili. Chili-tasting tickets are $20.00 per person.
• On Sunday, judges will again taste chili made in one of the four categories. The event is not open to the public on Sunday.

Polar Bear Plunge

• Registration is available online or beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
• $10.00 to take the plunge. All plunge entrants are entered into a drawing for a Yeti cooler.
• Individuals and teams may enter.
• Awards will be given for the Best Floatie, Best-Dressed Plunger, and Best-Dressed Team.
• Register before December 26 and receive a Big Chilly medal after the plunge.

Chili Cook-off Contest

This cook-off is sanctioned by the International Chili Society (ICS) and all competitors must be ICS members. You can become a member by registering on the ICS website.

• $10.00 per adult for each type of chili. There is a youth division with no entry fee.
• The judges will taste four kinds of chili:
  • Traditional Red Chili— any combination of meat cooked with red chili peppers, spices, and other ingredients but without beans, rice, or fillers.
  • Homestyle Chili — any combination of meat or seafood plus beans cooked with vegetables, spices, and other ingredients.
  • Verde Chili — any combination of meat cooked with green chili peppers, spices, and other ingredients. Non-vegetable fillers are not allowed.
  • Veggie Chili — any combination of vegetables and no meat or meat by-products. Soy products and "meat" substitutes are allowed.
• Each team is required to make three gallons of chili. 
• All registrants will have a designated cooking space that's 10x10 feet. The participating cooks must provide their own canopy or tent, tables, chairs, and supplies.
• On Saturday only, from noon to 3:30 p.m., the public may purchase a tasting ticket for $10.00 and taste all the competing chilis.

Support Team/Spectators

Don't want to make chili or jump into the Atlantic in January? Pay $10.00 on Saturday and taste the chili made by the competitors.

The Chili Cook-Off continues on Sunday for judges and cook-off participants only.

About the Matanzas Riverkeeper: The Riverkeeper advocates for stronger water quality protections, organizes waterway cleanups, and teaches the public how to be good stewards of the environment.