🌶️ Chickamauga Chili Championship Brings Cherokee Culture & Free Admission to Audubon Acres

Audubon Acres in Chattanooga is stepping beyond its role as a nature sanctuary to celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a first-ever community event that blends regional food tradition with living cultural performance. The November 14th gathering invites residents across the Dunlap area and beyond to taste, compete, and learn-all at no cost.

🎉 What’s Happening on November 14th

Audubon Acres will host its inaugural Chickamauga Chili Championship with free admission for all attendees. The day features a chili tasting competition where visitors can sample entries and vote for their favorite, plus an open call for home cooks to register their own recipes and compete. Historic cabin tours will be available throughout the day, offering a glimpse into the site’s past. 🏛️

🪶 Cherokee Cultural Performance & Heritage

The centerpiece of the event is a performance by the Nvnnehi Warriors, a traditional Cherokee social dance group from Cherokee, North Carolina. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in Cherokee social dances and learn directly from Sonny Ledford, Cultural Ambassador for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The event honors Native American heritage year-round at the sanctuary, with this November celebration marking a formal public commitment to that mission. ✨

💡 Community Support & Funding

The event was made possible through a grant from Arts Build and the National Endowment for the Arts, which funded the cultural ambassadors’ participation. This partnership underscores how regional arts funding can bring meaningful educational and cultural experiences to local communities. 🎨

For residents interested in competing or simply attending, registration and admission details are available through Audubon Acres’ website.