Staff Report
The 2020 Buellton Wine & Chili Festival will take place from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. Guests are invited to sample from more than 30 wineries and craft breweries from all over the Central Coast and more than 25 chili and salsa cooks, including those from local restaurants.
The event takes place at Flying Flags RV Resort, located at 180 Avenue of the Flags in Buellton.
Currently in its seventh year, and selling out last year, the festival has consistently grown year over year with more chili contestants and participating wineries each time. The chili cook-off is a community challenge and open to all local businesses and residents.
The festival will be family friendly with live music performances by the Dusty Jugs and the VineYard Byrds. Guest can also enjoy shopping from various local vendors, plus enjoy various games such as bocce ball, table tennis and cornhole.
The Hot Chili Ticket ($50) is for all guests 21+ and includes a souvenir wine glass, unlimited wine, craft beer and chili tasting. For guests under 21 years old, the Mild Chili Ticket is $15 and includes unlimited samples of chili and salsa but no alcohol.
Proceeds from this event will go to scholarship funds that support various local programs including local elementary and middle school PTSAs, graduating high school seniors, Boy Scouts troops, the Buellton Senior Center and more.
The Brew Bus will be available for safe transportation to the festival for locals and those staying elsewhere on the Central Coast. The bus will be doing pickups in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Maria and Lompoc. The Santa Barbara pickup will be at Figueroa Mountain Brewing at 10:30 a.m., M Special Brewing Co. in Goleta at 11 a.m., Figueroa Mountain Brewing in Santa Maria at 10:30 a.m. and Solvang Brewing Co. in Lompoc at 11:15 a.m. No walk-up tickets will be sold at bus departure, tickets must be purchased in advance.
For event information and to purchase tickets, you may visit www.BuelltonWineandChiliFestival.com or call the Buellton Chamber of Commerce at 805-688-7829.
