Record Crowd Turns Out for Gatlinburg Winterfest Kickoff and Chili Cookoff

Well over 8,000 people turned out as Gatlinburg kicked off the 26th year of Smoky Mountain Winterfest Wednesday night with the annual Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff and Winter Magic Kickoff on the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. To signify the start of Gatlinburg Winter Magic, city officials turned on more than 3 million lights across downtown.

A tough night of competition led to Margaritaville Island Hotel taking home The People’s Choice Award with Hilton Garden Inn winning Best Booth Decoration.

Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff winners are as follows:

Best Booth

1st Hilton Garden Inn

2nd Margaritaville Island Hotel

3rd Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

 

Best Lodging

1st Margaritaville Island Hotel

2nd Inn at Christmas Place

3rd Hilton Garden Inn

 

Best Restaurant

1st Puckers

2nd Downtown Grill & Chili

3rd Dick’s Last Resort

 

Best Civic Organization

1st Gatlinburg Fire Department

2nd Gatlinburg Police Department

 

Best Retail

1st Sugarlands Distilling Company

2nd Ole Smoky TN Moonshine

 

Best Attraction

1st Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

For more information about events coming up during Gatlinburg Winter Magic, visit www.gatlinburg.com/events
or call (800) 588-1817.