News Release: 9/12/2025

Kiwanis Club of Columbia to Host Chili Cook-Off at Columbia Fall Fest COLUMBIA, TN
      The Kiwanis Club of Columbia is excited to announce its annual Chili Cook-Off, which will be held in downtown Columbia on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 3 PM to 5 PM. This year's event will be held in conjunction with the much-anticipated Columbia Fall Fest. The Chili Cook-Off will feature local participants vying for the title of "Best Chili." Both tasting and team tickets are available for purchase online by visiting kiwanisofcolumbiatn.com. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Columbia Police and Maury County Sheriff’s 'Shop with a Cop' program, which provides local children with a fun-filled day of Christmas shopping with a uniformed officer. "We are thrilled to partner with the Columbia Fall Fest to bring our community together for a fantastic cause," said Ty Cobb, president of the Kiwanis Club of Columbia. Incoming president, Stephen Webb, added, "The 'Shop with a Cop' program is a truly meaningful event for our local youth, and we are grateful for the support of our chili cooks, attendees, and the wider community." Suzanne Ganser, the event chair for the Chili Cook-Off, shared, "The Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off has become a beloved tradition in Columbia. To make the day even more family-friendly, Kiwanis will also be hosting a dedicated kids' zone with inflatables and a petting zoo, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy. The club encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the delicious chili, the festivities of the Fall Fest, and the opportunity to support a great cause."

The Kiwanis Club of Columbia was organized March 30, 1920, with charter granted on August 6, 1920. As the oldest civic club in Columbia, our Kiwanis Club and its members are proud of our heritage. We are a local chapter of Kiwanis International, a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The club focuses on community service projects and fundraising to support local children's charities and youth programs.

Media Contact: Suzanne Ganser suzanne.ganser@avisonyoung.com 615-939-1928