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DOWAGIAC — Two new competitors will be challenging the steadfast regulars this year at Dowagiac’s 28th annual Ice Time Festival, Saturday, Feb. 1.  

Ten restaurants will serve taste bites of their best chili offering as they compete to be the public’s favorite in the festival’s annual Chili Crawl Competition.

Returning downtown competitors include The Baker’s Rhapsody, Caruso’s, The Eagles Lodge, Front Street Crossing/COA, Oak & Ash BBQ, Wood Fire Trattoria and Wounded Minnow Saloon.

Taqueria del Rey, a family owned Mexican grocery and restaurant north of downtown Dowagiac and new to the competition, will be on the ballot and will be located at a host location on Front Street.  Sister Lakes Brewing Company returns to the competition this year, and will be at a host location downtown as well. 

The second new competitor is Brookie’s Café, a newly opened breakfast and lunch restaurant located downtown on Beeson Street.

The Chili Crawl will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The public can sample each restaurant’s chili for free, and then vote for their favorite on ballots available at each site. Just one tasting site is located outside of Dowagiac’s central business district.

A free shuttle bus provided by Heritage Southwest ISD will transport participants from downtown to The Eagles Lodge, for chili samples as well as a kid’s activity. 

Corporate underwriters of the Ice Time Festival include Dowagiac Credit Union, Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center, Lyons Industries, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Who Knew Consignment and Xfinity.

Event sponsors are Ascension Borgess Lee Hospital, Baker’s Rhapsody, Dowagiac Area History Museum, Hale’s Hardware, Lake Effect HVAC Co, and Twisted Bee.

Activities for families are featured throughout the day, beginning at 10 a.m., and participating specialty shops will host drawings, sales and specials.

For a full schedule of events visit DowagiacChamber.com/events or Facebook.