MACC: Soup Stew Chili & Brew Festival

10/17/2025

🌟 Volunteer Spotlight! 🌟

A huge shoutout to Hanover College and all their amazing volunteers for going above and beyond at this year’s SSCB!

From managing trash and setting up stages and picnic tables to keeping the KidZone running smoothly — you did it all! 🙌

We couldn’t have done it without you! Your energy and dedication made all the difference!

10/16/2025

🏆 Here are the 23rd Annual Soup, Stew, Chili & Brew Awards! 🍲

1st Place Soup: Madison Elks Lodge #524
2nd Place Soup: The Schafer Family
3rd Place Soup: Life Choices Clinic

1st Place Stew: Historic Eagle Cotton Mill
2nd Place Stew: Club Madison Wrestling
3rd Place Stew: The Schafer Family

1st Place Chili: Madison Elks Lodge #524
2nd Place Chili: American Legion Post 9 Madison, Indiana
3rd Place Chili: The Schafer Family

1st Place Brew: Ellison Concessions
2nd Place Brew: Shipley's Tavern
3rd Place Brew: DonutNV

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who participated!

A special thanks to West Sixth Law (Alcorn, Sage, Schwartz & Magrath LLP) for sponsoring this year’s awards.

10/15/2025

10/15/2025

The 23rd Annual Soup, Stew, Chili & Brew Festival brought over 10,000 people together to celebrate our community! 🍲🎉 With 50+ amazing vendors, delicious food, great music, and nonstop fun — it was one for the books!

A huge THANK YOU to our sponsors, vendors, and incredible volunteers — we couldn’t do it without you. ❤️ Until next year!

10/14/2025

🎉 Thank You for an Incredible Festival! 🎉

The 23rd Annual Soup, Stew, Chili & Brew Festival was a huge success — all thanks to our amazing sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and everyone who attended! You truly make this event special.

More photos and award winners will be coming soon, so stay tuned!

And don’t forget to save the date for next year:
October 10, 2026 — we can’t wait to see you there!

10/11/2025

🎉 Today’s the Day! SSCB Festival Reminders 🎉

It’s time for the 23rd Annual Soup, Stew, Chili & Brew Festival! Here’s what to know before you go 👇

✅ Free Admission – everyone’s welcome!
🍲 Food & Drinks: Purchase with tickets available at ticket booths during the festival.
🚫 No Pets allowed within the festival footprint.
🚳 No skateboards, bicycles, skates, or scooters inside the event area.

Most of all — have fun and enjoy the food, music, and shopping! 🎶🛍️

10/10/2025

Last but definitely not least in our Artist Spotlight series for this year’s Soup, Stew, Chili & Brew Festival: Rusty Bladen!

Catch him live on the Ivy Tech Main Stage (Mulberry & Main) from 3:00PM – 4:30PM on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

Rusty Bladen, a homegrown rock ‘n’ roller from Madison, Indiana, has been entertaining audiences for 42 years. An inaugural inductee of the Madison Jefferson County Creative Hall of Fame, Rusty has released nine albums, three of them recorded with John Mellencamp’s band, and his song Ride That River appears in the MGM film Madison. Performing with his band, The Livin’ Daylights, Rusty delivers high-energy shows blending fan-favorite covers and original songs that appeal to all ages. In addition to performing, Rusty helps book and schedule all the musicians for SSCB, making him an essential part of the festival!

Don’t miss your chance to experience his unforgettable live show!

Premier Sponsor: Ivy Tech Madison
Entertainment Sponsor: Premier Gutters

10/10/2025

🚧 SSCB Festival Road Closures – Saturday, Oct 11 🚧

We’re thrilled to celebrate the 23rd Annual Soup, Stew, Chili, & Brew Festival! To keep everyone safe, downtown Madison streets will be closed from 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM.

We’ve been passing out reminders this week about road closures for this weekend’s festival—see map below!

Closed Streets:

Main Street: West side of Jefferson St → East side of Broadway St

West Street: Main St north to Fountain Alley & south to Hentz Lane

Mulberry Street: Main St north to Fountain Alley & south to Hentz Lane

All alleys north from Main St to Fountain Alley (between Jefferson & Broadway)

All alleys south from Main St to Hentz Lane (between Jefferson & Broadway)

🚗 Parking Notice:
Please remove all vehicles from these areas by 6:00 AM Saturday. Vehicles left in the closed areas will be towed at the owner’s expense.

📍 Special Note:
The Main Street Parking Lot across from the comfort station (next to McWhiggins) will be reserved for the KIDS ZONE during the event.

Thank you for helping us make this a safe and fun celebration! We can’t wait to see you downtown for a day of delicious food, drinks, and community spirit! 🎉

10/09/2025

🥄 THANK YOU TO OUR FESTIVAL SPONSORS! 🥄

A big thank you to Alcorn, Sage, Schwartz & Magrath LLP (West Sixth Law) for the Awards , Madison Precision for the Seating , and KasselMann McDonald’s for all the Street Fun!

Thanks for helping us make SSCB possible!

10/09/2025

Next up in our Artist Spotlight series for this year’s Soup, Stew, Chili & Brew Festival: Brian “Biggin” Noble!

Catch him live on the Ivy Tech Madison Stage (Mulberry & Main) from 12:45PM – 2:00PM on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

2017 Southeastern Indiana Music Hall of Fame inductee Brian “Biggin” Noble is the lead singer of The Renegades, a high-energy outlaw country and rock ‘n’ roll band that has toured the Midwest and shared the stage with legends like Montgomery Gentry, Chris Janson, and Molly Hatchet. His latest single, Pop’s Flag, is heard worldwide on radio and streaming platforms. Whether with the band or in his solo shows, Biggin’s southern sound and connection with fans make every performance unforgettable.

Premier Sponsor: Ivy Tech Madison
Entertainment Sponsor: Gutters

10/09/2025

🥄 HERE’S THE SCOOP 2025 🥄

Trying to decide how many tickets to grab for SSCB this year? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s your 2025 SSCB ticket guide:

4oz = 3 tickets
6oz = 4 tickets
8oz = 5 tickets
(1 ticket = $1)

We suggest starting with around 20 tickets per person so you can sample a hearty variety of soups, stews, and chilis from our amazing local cooks!

*Drink sizes and ticket prices vary by booth.*

Get tickets early here: https://tickets.madtixevents.com/e/soupstewchilibrew2025

10/08/2025

Up next in our SSCB Artist Spotlight Series is Bee Camp Bottom Boys!
Catch them live on the Super ATV Stage (West & Main) from 2:30PM – 3:30PM on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

The Bee Camp Bottom Boys are a local favorite known for turning any night into a good time. The band—Bobby Adams, Billy Dude Center, Brook Reindollar, and Nick Cicenas—mix down-home charm with serious musicianship, blending bluegrass, country, and blues into a sound that’s sure to get you singing along or on the dance floor.

With guitar, mandolin, keys, and bass driving their signature style, the Bee Camp Bottom Boys have built a loyal following at local spots like Mad Paddle Brewery, the Riverboat Inn, the Lighthouse and beyond. Whether it’s a festival stage or a packed alley, these guys know how to get the crowd moving and the good vibes flowing.

Don't forget... Bee good. Bee careful. Bee Camp!

Premier Sponsor: Ivy Tech Madison
Entertainment Sponsor: Premier Gutters