Many great prizes are given away to participants and chili cooks. Categories include Best Showmanship, People's Choice Chili, People's Choice Salsa, Best Yolo County Chili, Red Chili and Chili Verde.

Each year the Dynamite Chili Cook-off gets bigger and better. From its start in 1997, the annual event has drawn thousands of spectators, young and old alike, to Woodland's Heritage Plaza. In 2007 more than 3,000 tasting kits were sold to eager chili aficionados who then voted for their favorite chili, thus choosing the winner of the coveted "People's Choice" chili and "People's Choice" salsa awards.

Teams create themes for their chili booths ranging from Hillbilly Chili to Hells Bells Chili to Big Kahuna Chili and Team Kaos Chili. Prizes are also awarded for best showmanship, best International Chili Society competition chili, best salsa and best chili verde.

Chili is the main ingredient of the Dynamite Chili Cook-off, but not the only one. For the kids there is the popular bounce house, pony rides, games and more. The adults enjoy the live country music, the patter of the emcees, and plenty to eat and drink. Each year the crafts portion of the cook-off has also grown. Anyone wishing to form a chili team can get more information by clicking here.

The cook-off is held the third Saturday in September. The winner of the ICS competition is qualified to compete in the World Championship semi-finals and have a chance to win the $25,000 grand prize.

2007 Dynamite Downtown Chili Cook-off Winners

International Chili Society Red Chili

• 1st Place - Mike & Bonnie Ford, B&M Double Flush Chili (La Miranda)
• 2nd Place - Jim Beaver, Fart'N Sparks Chili (Mammoth Lakes)
• 3rd Place - J.R. Knudson, J.R.'s Rough & Ready Chili (Granite Bay)
• 4th Place - Vonnie Metcraft, In Trouble Again Chili (Reno, NV)
• 5th Place - Mark Larson, Down Deep Chili (Palo Cedro)

International Chili Society Green (Verde) Chili

• 1st Place - Sirivan Bake, Chili Chili Bang Bang (San Leandro)

Best Yolo County ICS Salsa

• 1st Place - Rick Decker, Vine Verde Vici (Pleasanton)

People's Choice Chili

• 1st Place - Hot Savage Bikers
• 2nd Place - Team Kaos (Dave DeKreek, Councilman Monroe & Sean Denny)
• 3rd Place - Grandma's Grubbin Chili
• 4th Place - Great Balls of Fire
• 5th Place - Elm Ford
• 6th Place - Pirates "Argh" Chili (Butterfield Electric)
• 7th Place - Yolo Federal Credit Union
• 8th Place - ERA Mata Real Estate
• 9th Place - Travis Credit Union
• 10th Place - Woodland Healthcare

People's Choice Salsa

• 1st Place - Hot Savage Bikers
• 2nd Place - Grandma's Grubbin Salsa
• 3rd Place - Yolo Federal Credit Union
• 4th Place - Tropical Salsa by Woodland Community College
• 5th Place - Morrison's Salsa

Best Yolo County Chili