Poultney Rotary Club

10/03/2026

The Poultney Rotary Club would like to thank those for helping us host the 36th Annual Chili Cook Off this past weekend. Our event is the longest-running chili cook off in the state of Vermont. The contributions to the cook off help preserve an important town-wide tradition—one that brings together people of all ages for a wonderful day of family, friendship, food, and community spirit.
We are truly grateful for your generosity, your encouragement, and your continued support of the Poultney Rotary Club. Without your generosity, we could not provide this support to so many individuals and organizations in our community and beyond.
Poultney Rotary Club extends special thanks and appreciation to the following:
Material or asset donations: (in-kind)
* Davenport Excavating
* Tasteful Station
Our community partners:
* Village of Poultney DPW
* Poultney Fire Department
* Poultney Rescue Squad
* Numerous hard-working volunteers
Our neighboring participants:
* Wonderfeet Museum
* Little Seedlings Childcare
* DeMatties Tent Company
* Catamount Radio: Radio stations WJJR and Cat Country
* Businesses & individuals who donated to the raffle and silent auction
The generosity of everyone mentioned above
made our Chili Cook Off fundraiser a success!

~* ~ Thank you! ~* ~
RECOGNIZING OUR EVENT SPONSORS:

HOT TAMALE ($1500 & over donation)
Sponsorship of EnerJazz Big Band
Casella Real Estate
SMOKIN’ HOT ($1499 - $500 donation)
Hubbardton Forge - Noble Hardware - Rutland Regional Medical Center - Telescope Casual, Inc.
CHILI PEPPERS ($499 - $300 donation)
Bentley House Bed & Breakfast - Donna P. Johnson Physical Therapy - Poultney Veterinary Hospital - Riverside Motors - Sam’s Service Center & U-Save
SPICY ($299 - $100 donation)
Brown’s Auto Salvage - Clifford Custom Carpentry - Colburn’s Automotive - Dan’s Small Engine Repair - DS Masonry - Everyday Flowers - Greenstone Slate Howard’s Garage - Lakes & Homes Realty - New England Lakeside Realty - New England Slate - Northland Real Estate - Parker Water Wells – P3 Engraving - Poultney Downtown Revitalization Committee - Rail Trail Eatery - Slate Valley Museum
- Stewart’s Shops - The Cluckin’ Café - The Wells Country Store - York Coach Works

09/28/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out to view the screening of Jay Craven's new film LOST NATION yesterday at Poultney High School! It was an amazing movie and we were happy to host an successful event.

09/27/2026

Thanks to WCAX for coming out and covering this year’s Chili 🌶️ Cook Off!

Hundreds pack downtown streets for state's longest-running chili competition.

09/27/2026

Another Poultney Rotary Chili 🌶️ Cook Off in the books. It’s the longest running chili cook off in Vermont. 36 Years Strong! It is always great to see Main Street Poultney filled with chili tasters, smiles and the sounds of Enerjazz.
Thanks to our cookers and sponsors for making it happen again this year!
And thanks to Sheryl and Michele for the photos!

09/26/2026

And the Chili Cook Off winners are … Drumroll Please …
First Place Priscella Brown
Second Place Poultney Fire Department
Popular Vote Poultney Elementary School 6th Graders
Best Decorated Booth Poultney Elementary School 6th Graders

Thanks for all who came out and made it a wonderful event! 🌶️❤️🌶️

09/24/2026

Do you got a mean chili recipe? There is still time to register to be a cooker! Show us what you got!

CHILI COOK OFF COOKERS WANTED!
Poultney Rotary Club is pleased to bring the 36th Annual Chili Cook Off to downtown Poultney this fall.
This year, Poultney Rotary Club is thrilled to announce that the event will be filling the streets once again on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It's the longest running chili cook off in Vermont. Tasting cups are $10.
We are looking for Chili Cookers. There is no cost to register your team. Rules below. $1,000 in prizes!
In addition to the Chili Cook Off competition and tasting, EnerJazz Big Band will play, a silent auction will line the center of Main Street, Wonderfeet Museum will provide fun activities for the kids and the famous Chili T-shirts will be back.
We are very thankful for the long list of wonderful sponsors and friends that have already donated money and silent auction items. Two specialty raffles this year include a Yeti Cooler from Noble Hardware and wall sconce from Hubbardton Forge. The 36th Annual Chili Cook Off serves as the club's largest fundraiser and it is businesses and individuals in Poultney that make the club's ongoing work possible and also give us strong support.
Thanks to our major sponsors: Casella Real Estate. Telescope Casual. Hubbardton Forge, Noble Hardware, Donna P. Johnson Physical Therapy, Bentley House B & B, Poultney Veterinary Hospital, Riverside Motors, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Stewart's Shops and Sam's U-Save Fuels.
Chili Cookers Rules.
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Registration/Check in starts @ 8:30 am
No Cost to register a team of Cookers - Tastings from 11 am to 1:00 pm
Register your team at: https://poultney-rotary.weebly.com/chili-cook-off-day...
Rules and Regulations
1 – No charge for cookers!
2 – It is suggested to have a list of the ingredients in your chili at your table.
3 – No open fires are permitted for cooking, should your chili self-ignite, it's the team's responsibility to extinguish all flames. A fire extinguisher might be a good idea. Coleman type stoves – either gas or propane are suggested.
4 – If you are an established business and wish to sell your products, you may, at your area.
5 – We suggest preparing at least 10-12 gallons of chili for tasting and voting. Beer/alcohol is allowed as an ingredient for your chili. We are estimating OVER 700 people, each with a 2 oz mug.
6 – Come as early as 8:30am, and must be all set up by 10:00am. You may begin preparations prior, and add final touches and your secret ingredients the morning of the event onsite.
7 – Tasting and voting will begin at 11:00am and prizes will be awarded at 1:30pm
8 – Cookers will be given approximately 10 feet of space. A table and a ladle will be provided by the Poultney Rotary Club. Teams will provide their own overhead tarps, if necessary, chairs, and any booth decorations.
9 – Judging is by a panel of 3 judges, and popular vote. $1,000 in prizes! Best chili, Popular Vote - $300. Judges: 1st Place - $300, 2nd Place - $250, and Best Themed Set Up - $150

09/21/2026

Head over to Noble Hardware to get your Chili 🌶️ Cook Off Raffle Tickets for a Yeti cooler or Hubbardton Forge sconce! $5 for 1 or $10 for 3!Thanks to our Chili Sponsors!

09/19/2026

ONE WEEK UNTIL CHILI COOK OFF!
CHILI COOK OFF COOKERS WANTED!
Poultney Rotary Club is pleased to bring the 36th Annual Chili Cook Off to downtown Poultney this fall.
This year, Poultney Rotary Club is thrilled to announce that the event will be filling the streets once again on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It's the longest running chili cook off in Vermont. Tasting cups are $10.
We are looking for Chili Cookers. There is no cost to register your team. Rules below. $1,000 in prizes!
In addition to the Chili Cook Off competition and tasting, EnerJazz Big Band will play, a silent auction will line the center of Main Street, Wonderfeet Museum will provide fun activities for the kids and the famous Chili T-shirts will be back.
We are very thankful for the long list of wonderful sponsors and friends that have already donated money and silent auction items. Two specialty raffles this year include a Yeti Cooler from Noble Hardware and wall sconce from Hubbardton Forge. The 36th Annual Chili Cook Off serves as the club's largest fundraiser and it is businesses and individuals in Poultney that make the club's ongoing work possible and also give us strong support.
Thanks to our major sponsors: Casella Real Estate. Telescope Casual. Hubbardton Forge, Noble Hardware, Donna P. Johnson Physical Therapy, Bentley House B & B, Poultney Veterinary Hospital, Riverside Motors, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Stewart's Shops and Sam's U-Save Fuels.
Chili Cookers Rules.
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Registration/Check in starts @ 8:30 am
No Cost to register a team of Cookers - Tastings from 11 am to 1:00 pm
Register your team at: https://poultney-rotary.weebly.com/chili-cook-off-day...
Rules and Regulations
1 – No charge for cookers!
2 – It is suggested to have a list of the ingredients in your chili at your table.
3 – No open fires are permitted for cooking, should your chili self-ignite, it's the team's responsibility to extinguish all flames. A fire extinguisher might be a good idea. Coleman type stoves – either gas or propane are suggested.
4 – If you are an established business and wish to sell your products, you may, at your area.
5 – We suggest preparing at least 10-12 gallons of chili for tasting and voting. Beer/alcohol is allowed as an ingredient for your chili. We are estimating OVER 700 people, each with a 2 oz mug.
6 – Come as early as 8:30am, and must be all set up by 10:00am. You may begin preparations prior, and add final touches and your secret ingredients the morning of the event onsite.
7 – Tasting and voting will begin at 11:00am and prizes will be awarded at 1:30pm
8 – Cookers will be given approximately 10 feet of space. A table and a ladle will be provided by the Poultney Rotary Club. Teams will provide their own overhead tarps, if necessary, chairs, and any booth decorations.
9 – Judging is by a panel of 3 judges, and popular vote. $1,000 in prizes! Best chili, Popular Vote - $300. Judges: 1st Place - $300, 2nd Place - $250, and Best Themed Set Up - $150

09/18/2026

CHILI COOK OFF COOKERS WANTED!

Poultney Rotary Club is pleased to bring the 36th Annual Chili Cook Off to downtown Poultney this fall.

This year, Poultney Rotary Club is thrilled to announce that the event will be filling the streets once again on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It's the longest running chili cook off in Vermont. Tasting cups are $10.

We are looking for Chili Cookers. There is no cost to register your team. Rules below. $1,000 in prizes!

In addition to the Chili Cook Off competition and tasting, EnerJazz Big Band will play, a silent auction will line the center of Main Street, Wonderfeet Museum will provide fun activities for the kids and the famous Chili T-shirts will be back.

We are very thankful for the long list of wonderful sponsors and friends that have already donated money and silent auction items. Two specialty raffles this year include a Yeti Cooler from Noble Hardware and wall sconce from Hubbardton Forge. The 36th Annual Chili Cook Off serves as the club's largest fundraiser and it is businesses and individuals in Poultney that make the club's ongoing work possible and also give us strong support.

Thanks to our major sponsors: Casella Real Estate. Telescope Casual. Hubbardton Forge, Noble Hardware, Donna P. Johnson Physical Therapy, Bentley House B & B, Poultney Veterinary Hospital, Riverside Motors, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Stewart's Shops and Sam's U-Save Fuels.

Chili Cookers Rules.

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Registration/Check in starts @ 8:30 am
No Cost to register a team of Cookers - Tastings from 11 am to 1:00 pm

Register your team at: https://poultney-rotary.weebly.com/chili-cook-off-day-event_2026.html

Rules and Regulations
1 – No charge for cookers!
2 – It is suggested to have a list of the ingredients in your chili at your table.
3 – No open fires are permitted for cooking, should your chili self-ignite, it's the team's responsibility to extinguish all flames. A fire extinguisher might be a good idea. Coleman type stoves – either gas or propane are suggested.
4 – If you are an established business and wish to sell your products, you may, at your area.
5 – We suggest preparing at least 10-12 gallons of chili for tasting and voting. Beer/alcohol is allowed as an ingredient for your chili. We are estimating OVER 700 people, each with a 2 oz mug.
6 – Come as early as 8:30am, and must be all set up by 10:00am. You may begin preparations prior, and add final touches and your secret ingredients the morning of the event onsite.
7 – Tasting and voting will begin at 11:00am and prizes will be awarded at 1:30pm
8 – Cookers will be given approximately 10 feet of space. A table and a ladle will be provided by the Poultney Rotary Club. Teams will provide their own overhead tarps, if necessary, chairs, and any booth decorations.
9 – Judging is by a panel of 3 judges, and popular vote. $1,000 in prizes! Best chili, Popular Vote - $300. Judges: 1st Place - $300, 2nd Place - $250, and Best Themed Set Up - $150

06/30/2026

The Poultney Rotary Club hosted a service project to help w**d the garden at Young at Heart Senior Center. in Poultney.
We also had a ceremony for swearing in our Rotary officers including Michelle McCarron as President and Pat Hemingway, Bob Isherwood and Steve Williams as board officers.