DC101 CHILI COOK-OFF

This is the best buy around as far as how many great bands you can see for under $30 (if you buy early). That's why I go. However, the time has come to retire the name "Chili Cookoff." As the years go by with this event, the chili is harder and harder to find, and not free, as it used to be. Last year at RFK, the chili folks were way, way off to the left, near the Don's Johns, and everyone was collecting "donations" even though the ticket price included the chili. This year, I couldn't find the chili vendors! They certainly weren't in the Siberia they were in last year. Hard Times had a booth to sell food, as usual, and I guess they were the ones with the chili. I thought I just wasn't looking hard enough, until I heard a guy walking by yelling, "THERE'S NO CHILI AT THE CHILI COOK OFF!!" lol There are thousands of people there as a captive audience. Once in, if you leave, you are not allowed to be readmitted. So for hours, on hot asphalt, with now strangely fenced off sections of small grassy hills, we're stuck with NOTHING to do! Okay, well there was the Marine booth where folks were doing pull ups. Impressive, but not fun. There was the DC Lottery and Jack Daniels booths that you could play doofy little games and get lame prizes. And the usual insanely overpriced, mediocre (for the most part) food. My god, can't DC101 get some people out there to sell space to vendors. Seriously, there is a captive audience, most of whom are drunk (thanks to the copious amounts of Bud Light.) and nothing to do. It's boring as you wait for the bands. People drink even more when they're bored. Or they fall asleep. There are a lot of people snoozing on the grass. Even the year before, there were more vendors. Pizza Boli was touted as the big sponsor, but they had a dinky table in the middle of Siberia. Surely there are companies out there that see the value in a captive audience with money to spend, time on their hands, many of whom have impaired thinking. The music- -- it's what keeps me interested in this event. I've been able to see bands I really love, but for whatever reason, couldn't get tickets to, or they didn't tour when I was able to see them. This year, I was thrilled to see Soundgarden, who sounded awesome, and very Led Zeppelin-esque. Very cool that AWOLNation came back for the 2nd year, and really rocked! Loved "Kill Your Heroes." . Silversun Pickups -- a little spotty. Some off key singing here and there. Everyone else was good. The schedule is adhered to pretty well. I appreciate that because I don't want to spend any more time standing on asphalt watching people stand in long beer lines. Metro is a nightmare. I always take it, not wanting to drive, and I always end up telling myself "Next year, just drive, dammit!" But I don't. But really, what is the damn deal with Metro on the weekends? Single tracks, trains every 25-35 minutes, trains that sit there for minutes without anyone telling you why you're not moving. Argggh. By that point, I'm tired from the whole experience. But I leave you with this. The bands are always good. The line ups are very impressive with new, up-and-coming bands, and great bands that have been around for a while, and the price is a bargain, especially when seeing one band can cost you $200 for 2 tickets. As a middle age rock and roller, the music is why I keep coming back. (And I bring my daughter, who is almost 13. She loves AWOLNation, but wanted to leave when Soundgarden began. "Mom, can we leave?" Me: "WHAT?? Soundgarden just started!" Her: "Who?" Me: "I didn't put up with all of this, just to leave when Soundgarden began playing." Then I gave her the evil eye, and ignored her.

Capital Cities was awesome. With the exception of their mix, Silversun Pickups was really good. They were the main band I wanted to see. Their sound quality was just a big mush. Couldn't distinguish individual instruments hardly at all. Awolnation was phenomenal. Soundgarden was tight. Other than SSPU having a bad mix, and the fact that it didn't take place INSIDE the stadium but rather in an adjacent parking lot (I did not know this ahead of time), it was a very good experience.

I have to say, I was blown away by every band at this concert. As for who rocked the most.... well it's a tossup between awolnation and soundgarden. I had never seen awolnation live before so I had to put him in the title. The venue itself is alright, they do the cursory check to make sure you don't have any "illegals" on you as you come in but they don't look too hard nor is the security inside very tight, it's nice. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars was the price of beer. 8 dollars for a budlight and 9 dollars for a craft beer... I mean c'mon! It takes 50 dollars just to feel tipsy! My advice? Smuggle in as much booze as you can! At the end of the day though, I would have payed a lot more to see soundgarden, awolnation, and silversun pickups. tl;dr - Booze is expensive, otherwise good venue and good bands.

Overall, the music was great but the rest of it sucked. You spend your whole day waiting in lines for everything...to get in, to get your bag checked, to get IDed, to get beer tickets, to get the actual beers. There should be IDing and beer tickets at once and there should be more stations that sell tickets and beer. Also, not everyone likes to eat nasty fair food. There were no healthier options available at the festival. In fact, I didn't even see any chili except for Hard Times Cafe. Again, the music was great but everything else was poor.

How to you promote and sell tickets to a Chili Cook-off and have no chili other than Hard Times. Event was totally a false advertisement. For the pleasure of paying $25 plus fees for tickets we got treated to wait in long lines for a $8.00 12oz beer. Heard many others saying that the event has gone so downhill that they would not be coming back. Shame, National Kidney Foundation is a wonderful organization - but it may be time to choose another partner who would give the customer what was advertised. Would not recommend anyone attend unless you are there for the music.

You had a chili.cook off with no chili. I was very disappointed. Who doesn't want chili at a chili cook off? There is no control over those smoking marijuana which makes it inappropriate for children to go.

This was supposed to be a chili cook off... i went hungry and had to leave because i couldnt afford such high prices of food.... maybe change name to something else. I feel i deserve money back because i paid for chili and there was none. Very disapointed

The bands were great but we only saw "Hard Times Chili for" sale. How can you call it a chili cook-off with one piss-poor chili vendor. I can make better chili with what's in my kitchen cabinet. What happened to the two dozen-some chili options from last year??? 8 dollars for a cup of Bud Light. Overpriced for sure, but not exactly surprising at an event like this. 9 dollars for a craft beer. Also Excessive. But the LINE for the craft beer was insane! They really need to come up with a better system for dispensing the craft beers. We decided to forget it and sold our tickets to some people who were already in line and just went over to enjoy the music.

Great set by Soundgarden. Band was engaging and perform a balanced set of new and old material. Awolnation and Silversun Pickups also managed to prepare the crowd for the main act.

Terrible, the bands were mostly lame, with a few exceptions there was no chili, hard times cafe doesn't count. Was not worth the drive, prince gouging or obnoxious attendants

Seriously, no chili Cook off at the chili Cook off? The increase in ticket prices tells us that they are in it for the monies but leaving the chili out is just crazy. It should be called the "DC 101 we don't have to compete with whfs so go pound sand if you don't like it" In closing, drink tickets? Skip this next year and go to merryweather pavilion events instead.

Good music, but only Hard Times providing chili? What gives? I was actually looking forward to tasting different kinds of chili. Got there around 2:45 for Capitol Cities so it wasn't as if i showed up for the last band to grab food. Hope they change the event title next year, or give the chili-people a heads up to make enough and not run out by 3PM. Otherwise, change the name DC101 so you aren't giving folks like me false hope. Thanks.

Well, I learned the secret...there is no chili at the chili cook-off. But not a problem, Soundgarden rocked it about as hard as I've ever seen 'em. Almost killed by crowd surfers but that just made it more fun. I am still grinning ear to ear. And, speaking of ears, they are still ringing!

I have been attending cook off for years and can say this will be my last one. The biggest shocker was NO CHILI; people were pissed! The whole thing was a disaster... sound issues, outrageous beer lines, food pricing and quality, and overall lack of concern by event staff.

Had high hopes for this event--spring weather, good chili, good beer, great bands. The first and last came through, but the in-between got lost. While I love Hard Times, a "chili cook-off" implies more than one chili vendor. And when copious amounts of different chili is your selling point to convince friends from 100+ miles to drop their hard-earned cash on a weekend to DC for this even, it's kind of a major let down when there is only one vendor. Another HUGE bummer: $8 beer?! Correction: $8 Bud?! Listen, I get that you had some headliners. Fine. But we all already paid between $35 and $65 for a ticket...now you want $8 for a single, less-than-craft-quality beer. Cripes. And that's before you shell out for for a $16 fair food. I really hadn't realized I was going to nearly bankrupt myself to have a decent time at this event. They've announced a fall chili event, but unless ppl who attended this fiasco get in free (maybe with a complimentary beer ticket or two), I will pass on any future events put on by these organizers.

Things started off bad when we first walked into the event. We got there around noon so we could walk around and have some chili while drinking some beer to get ready for the bands. Unfortunately, there was no chili at the chili cookoff. The only chili you could get was the horrible pre-packaged stuff put on top of potato chips. No bulk discount for beer tickets (Last year was 4 tickets for $25, this year it was flat $8 a beer). The only food available was carnival foods, all massively overpriced and with the equivalent taste of Styrofoam. Since there was no re-entry, this left us sitting on our asses for 2 hours before the first act, who did nothing but play covers. It wasn't until AWOLnation got onstage at 6pm that things got better, but by that point we were tired and pissed off. The final moment we realized 'this place sucks' was the event staff. When questioned WHY there was no chili, their response was 'Well, you wouldn't expect to go to a Sunoco show and get free gas would you?'. No, but I wouldn't go to a *chili cookoff* and not expect there to be any chili! The other question I have is that last year the money paid to the chili cookoff booths was given to charity. DC101 was more than happy to advertise the charity, but near as we could tell there was no money going to them at all.

Horrible event. No chili at a chili cook-off? Needless to say, event was a real let down for me after waiting several years to attend. Advanced tickets were priced OK but my god, look out when you get in the gate. Any attending should be prepared to give their left arm for concessions and beer. The sponsors and vendors were meager to say the least and there wasn't much to do if you didn't like a particular band. I'll be saving my money this time next year and will not attend.

Music was fantastic, Awolnation stole the show! Actually had enough porto-potties for the crowd :) But Hard Times was the only chili vendor?? What happened to the chili??

This is my second year attending the DC101 Chili Cookoff. Here are a few things to consider on top of your ticket price: $20 parking, $9 Beers, $18 meals, no chili, rude event staff. The only great things about the event was the awesome music and the people attending.

This is my second time at this event. In the past the best part was the chili. This time there was no actual chili cookoff. That was very disappointing! Hard times cafe was the only place to get any chili. The other food was WAY over priced! $12 for a sausage! I had fun but next time I really hope to see the chili tents back--or they need to rename the event!

It was absolutely worth the music & that's really the only reason I went. But if I had paid more than the initial price of $35 I would have been pissed. They need to change the name considering it is no longer a chili cookoff, I mean how absurd to turn it into a concert only & continue false representation of the event!!!

I've been to many all day music events and this was by far the worst I've been to. The only thing saving the day was actually good music from the bands. Would not go back again next year. Lines were too long, the parking lot was like a warzone, and people crowdsurfing between songs. I also thought there would be chili other than the HARD TIMES chili... Did I miss something? Not our best DC...

Awolnation, Silversun Pickups and Soundgarden all right on point (didn't see the first three acts...). Watching the better part of the Soundgarden set standing next to Brian Aubert of Silversun was the icing on the cake. Rock on DC101 chili cook-off!

Lamest chili cook off I have ever been to. There was no chili except for Hard Times Cafe that you had to pay for. They won by default. Had to stand in line forever for beer tickets that were $8 for domestic and $9 for craft. These beers were served in 9 oz. cups and domestic was limited to Bud Light only. Getting near the stage was almost impossible since the way the set was laid out made the crowd narrow, almost tunnel like. And all food was $10. Slice of pizza $10, hot dog $10, pit beef $10, etc. Last time I will ever attend this event. Not to mention the line up this year was weak!!! Soundgarden did their thing but everyone else seriously needs to hire better sound techs.

I would have liked for Awolnation to go before Silversun Pickups instead of afterwards. It was kind of a weird break coming from Silversun Pickups to Awolnation then Soundgarden & I wanted to stay hyped but that's just my opinion. lol. But any who, I loved it. It was very exciting & I can't wait until next year. I want them to bring Incubus back and maybe even N.E.R.D. (my personal favorite) :)

No chili. No chili cook off. Porta potties were faaaaar away from everything else. Beer was ridiculously priced (considering it was Bud Light). The first few bands had the audacity to do covers of Madonna, Kool & the Gang and other Not Rock. No vendors, nothing to do for the hours & hours before Soundgarden. Thank goodness Soundgarden was there, they saved it all.

I did recommend this event to my friends. They came from out of town only to be let down. This pavement party was the lamest chili cook off I have experienced. No chili at the chili cook off! What's up with that? Always over priced food & souvenirs, but this year there was only one domestic beer choice for $8. The craft beer was good in variety and flavor, way to get one thing right. Each year it seems to get more expensive and less about the fans. This will probably be my last cook off. If not for good friends & rockin music this concert would have been less then average.

First of all, there was no ChilI Cook-Off at this year's Chili Cook-Off! Yes, that's right, the only chili to be found was at one (1) of the overpriced vendors and it wasn't worth buying. The story goes downhill from there... Sound quality was horrible, lines to get an arm band before you could drink alcohol, another 30-minute line to buy beer tickets, another 25-30 minute line to actually get the beer... I've been to lots of concerts over the past 40+ years and this was by far the worst. Never again DC101 and Live Nation!

Soundgarden was awesome! A must-see. Such a cool energy at the show!

I came to this event hungry and anticipating trying different types of chili. But when I got there I saw ONE place selling chili and that was Hard Times (which I've been to already). What's the point in calling something a Chili Cook-off if it's not about Chili or about a cook-off? I got there one hour after it opened so there's no way that any chili stands could have sold out already. Music wasn't that great either...

Show was great. Redgoldgreen was awesome and capital cities rocked the house. Their trumpet player was uh-maze-ing.

The bands were absolutely amazing. But what the hell happened to the chili!!???!!??!!?!?!?

I loved the music, but you can't call an event a "Chili Cook-Off" and not have any chili cook-off....I mean only one vender and one kind of chili?? Seriously?? Secondly, totally over priced. If you are going to charge $60 per person at least discount the beers. I mean even $5 a beer makes it better. Then $20 gets you 4 beers as opposed to 2. Especially considering parking was an additional $20.....just an expensive day. At least the line-up was great and the bands totally nailed it.

The event was alot of fun. There were many great bands and the atmosphere was amazing.

Good lord! This year's Chili Cook off was amazing! The bands were all great live. Capital Cities were the only band I did not really care for but when Soundgarden came on it made the ticket price worth it. Soundgarden put on an amazing show and the set list was amazing! Looking forward to next year already!

The bands were ok. I have no complaints about the set-list. My biggest complaint is the lack of chilli at the cook-off. The name is pure false-advertisement and is an embarrassment to the venue creator. I had my hopes up to trying various chilli, in addition to hearing music. But to not have any sort of chilli is appalling. Frankly, if I known it was going to be a regular concert, I never would have gone. The uniqueness of trying chilli while being at a show enticed me to go. Never again!

Like usual DC101 underestimates how many people will show up at these things...always poor vendor service....long lines once again...beer tickets...and stuck in the parking lot NOT inside the stadium...bands and music pull this event up otherwise it would just suck...

The name "Chili Cook-off" invokes images of independent chili vendors handing out samples and competing for the title of "Best Chili". There were no independent chili vendors. None. The only chili that was available was through a local restaurant that had a stand. If you wanted chili, you had one choice... and it wasn't even particularly good. Getting an $8 beer entailed standing in at least 2 lines, and unless you got your food within the first hour or two of the gates opening, you risked standing in line for a good hour. Oh, and there was no line you could stand in which let you get both beer AND food. If you wanted both... more lines. The bands were good... especially Capital Cities and AWOLNATION. We primarily got tickets to see the latter. We left before Sound Garden.

Everything was awesome the groups were amazing but the beer way to expensive 8$ for one beer ticket and it was just a regular size I have been in many concerts of these kind the last one I went it was curfufull sorry my misspelling but there the beer was 4$ each one and a bigger size I know it's for the kidney foundation but you can't raise the price that much the food was excellent tough thank you so much

We were really disappointed as this was our first time at the chili cook off and there was NO CHILI. Everyone thought it was really bizarre. Prices are outrageous for food (as is to be expected at a concert), but at least the food could have been less horrible. We were there from 1 pm until Soundgarden finished, so we were really sad to be held captive in a place with nothing good to eat. Our only option was to drink to quell our hunger. Anyway, the bands were good and it was a fun atmosphere once the crowd got bigger...but they really need to either bring the chili back or change the name.

had a great time! the only things i was not satisfied with were: long lines for beer and soundgarden didnt play an encore

loved Beware of Darkness and Capital Cities beautiful day - a great party They forget to tell everybody THERE WAS NO CHILI! Craft beer lines too long - spent my $9 craft beer tickets on $8 bud lights since the lines were shorter

The Chili Cookoff was a big disappointment this year. I've gone to many chili cookoffs and other DC101 festivals, and this was not run well in comparison. First the parking was so far away and inconvenient that you needed a map to find it and a shuttle to get from the lot to the concert. The website said various lots would be open, but most of the lots listed were actually closed. Once you got into the event, there was a line a mile long to get tickets to buy beer. The port-a-pots were also way away from the actual concert. The only good thing was the lines to actually buy beer were short. Then to top it all off, there was no chili! Not much of a chili cookoff this year.

I have been to the DC 101 Chili Cook-off for at least 10 years now and I was EXTREMELY disappointed that there were zero chili vendors to even have a "cook-off" with. Hard Times may have sold it, among other public vendors, but that is NOT what the cook-off is about. I even showed up early this year to make sure I was able to get a taste of the different varieties of chili people served. If this is the way DC 101 plans on having this event from now on, I probably will not attend again.

This was an amazing event with a bunch of high name bands! I am personally not very into the intense summer outdoor music festival sort of affair, but the concert itself was a ton of fun and well put together.

Cannot stand the whole buying tickets to buy beer, I ended up having to miss a few great performances waiting for brew. Soundgarden... I originally thought I wouldn't like them and I was right, come on DC 101 you're better than that. AWOL nation = the cook off's saving grace. They friggin rock.

2013 was my first time attending the chili cook off. I was super excited especially with the line up they had. the bands were so awesome! Great line up, with some diversity so the music was good for everyone. AWOLNATION & Capitol Citties stole the stage, they just have a great stage presence. A little upset, going to the 'chili cookoff' , my whole group of friends showed up hungry, ready to sample and try different chilies! There was 1, thats right.. just one chili vendor. Not to mention the chili sucked, and was WAY overpriced. My boyfriend got a cheese steak for $12, with nacho cheese on it. it was uttterly disgusting. Other than the chili situation, it was a good time, lots of beer and sunshine.

Soundgarden, Awolnation, and Capital Cities completely ROCKED IT...definitely a great band line-up. The crowd surfing was a bit intense and dangerous (got kicked in the head by a crowd surfer, saw many of the crowd surfers dropped on their heads). However, the name "chili cook-off" is completely and utterly inaccurate. There was only one chili vendor - Hard Times Cafe. While I enjoy Hard Times Cafe's chili, I was looking forward to trying numerous chili's during the breaks between bands. Instead, I was stuck with one brand of chili and carnival food. Also, the beer ticket line and process was a complete rip-off and waste of time. The name "chili cook-off" should be removed from the event, as there was no cook-off whatsoever. Go for the music, not the environment.

If you are not going to have chili at a Chili Cook Off at least tell the fans and be honest about it. Don't let people show up with that expectation only to be disenchanted with your dishonesty in naming the event. If that is not going to be there as a side show, then at least account for the fact that the beer and food lines are going to be astonishingly long. Also, selling "fair food" for double what the going rate should be because you have a captive audience is just disgraceful. I have been to the Chili Cook Off for several years now, but this may very well be my last at these ticket, food, and drink prices and the deceptiveness with which the whole event was played out. Thanks goodness the last 3 bands were at least good.

I haven't been to a chili cook-off since the alley days. There was actual chili then. there was a decent food selection, but not at all what I expected. At the very least, I would have thought that some real local restaurants would offer their chili and local fare. And what was up with the beer? I wasn't looking to get drunk at all, but the selection sucked, and the prices were Dan Snyderesque. I was impressed with the security teams, they overlooked some harmless stuff, and did not over-react when some folks got goofy. Case in point, youngsters climbing a light pole. Security calmly waited for gravity to take it's toll, belligerant climbers were escorted away, but some truly sorry climbers were told to knock it off, which they did. After a while, one of the security guys found an old greasy turkey leg, and used it to lube up the pole. Problem solved, good police work.

WHERE WAS THE CHILI?! This was my first DC 101 chili cook off. I really only went to see Awolnation. I was excited for the chili contest too. I don't think this event was worth the money I paid for my ticket. Thank goodness I didn't buy any food. Beers were $8 a pop. First & last time.

While advertised as a Chili Cook-off, there was a considerable lack of Chili being cooked. Before, there were rows and rows of stands offering unique chili and all sorts of gimmicks to vote for the best. This year there was only one stand that was selling chili alongside many of the other food vendors. This was a huge disappointment. The big push seemed to focus on the consumption of alcohol. Not exactly being a drinker of beer, my friend and I found ourselves idling around bored beyond wits waiting for the bands to start up. That being said, the bands put on a big show and definitely kept the crowd involved. I'm pretty sure most had come to see the bands anyway and they definitely made up for it.

Not enough chili choices at the CHILI cook off. Other wise it was amazing!

AWOL Nation was phenomenal like last year but Capital Cities took the show this time with great stage personality and direction. My personal favorite of the lineup, Beware of Darkness, was killing it too and I am so ecstatic at how well everyone did. No show was mediocre.

Lets start off by saying I would have paid triple just to see Sound Garden. That being said the show was great and all the acts were on point. It was my girls first rock show and she had an awesome time! On the other hand the beer lines Blew and i Never even saw any chili. Other than that I love RFK for concerts and had a blast! Thanks DC101!

THE CHILI COOK OFF IT SELF ITS AWESOME! Nothing live live rick bands, good food and beer and cool people. Anyway, I think there's not so much organization once you have to make HUGE lines for getting the tickets for the beer, and the HUGE lines for getting your beer, PLUS: the cost is a little higher compared to last years. And then we know what happens in the crowd when the funnest and best bands are playing, PEOPLE GO CRAZY! And I love that, till the moment there's people crying, bleeding, and having problems to breathe. You should check that out and "maybe" (I'm really sorry to say this, cause I know how fun is it) but FORBID the fact of people passing through your head every 2 minutes. That's it! LOVE SILVERSUN, AND OF COURSE SOUNDGARDEN!! AWOLNATION WAS SO FUN TOO! See ya next year! :D

How can you have a chili cook off without any chili or any cooking off? Ridiculous. Hugely disappointing. Only recommend in the future if they deliver on the chili that is promised.

I am so glad my friends saved me from going to waste my entire day there. We shows up about 1.5 hours before Soundgarden and we were shocked at how awful the venue and setup was. It is not at RFK stadium. It is in a parking lot next to the stadium. A parking lot with lots of potholes. It is a 1 mile walk to the porta-potties and food and a 1 hour line for beer even with not that many people there. The main VIP feature is that there is a beer garden with no line and a reserved port-pottie. Soundgarden was the only reason to go and they did play about 90 minutes and even the full price of the ticket was about what Soundgarden can charge by themselves.

Lovely weather for a day full of music. Good food options, and decent beer options (albeit, expensive!!). No free chili this year, though. What gives?! Port-o-Johns were GROSS, even before the gates opened, but that is to be expected, I guess.

How do you have a chili-cook off with no chili? How do you get away with an hour-long beer line? How do you book a bunch of boring bands with 45 minute breaks in between each act at an event advertised as a festival? Ask DC101. They pulled off the most uninspiring Saturday afternoon in my recent memory. This was my first and last "DC 101 Chili Cook Off" -- I will never attend this event again.

The music was pretty good overall, Soundgarden was awesome and they are only reason this review gets 3 stars. I'm glad I got to see them. However, I would not have purchased the ticket if I had known there was no chili at the chili cook-off. You guys really should have made it clear to the public and probably should have changed the name...its actually ridiculous that you didn't. I'd say 80% of the reason I wanted to go was for the chili, even if you had charged for the chili it would have been better than none at all. I love DC101 but I really feel like I got scammed.

why call it a chili cook off when there isn't any? The lines to get tickets for alcohol were ridiculous long. i'm so upset that I wasted $89 dollars at this event.... never again!

I thoroughly enjoy music festivals and have attended Uproar and Mayhem multiple times and was very pleased with each. I was expecting the chili cook-off TO HAVE TONS OF CHILI VENDORS...there was ONE which was Hardtimes. There was NOTHING to do in between shows but stand around, eat or look at the merchandise (which there wasn't much of a selection)..or drink beer. I think the only way to enjoy the chili cook off is to get your drink on.. it was in a parking lot so that means standing on concrete- not fun. BEWARE OF DARKNESS WAS AWESOME. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND OR ATTEND ANOTHER CHILI COOK OFF.

The event titled DC 101 Chili Cook Off did not actually include a Chili Cook Off. This was a 9 hour event with a no re-entry policy with several bands of very different styles with very few forms of other entertainment in a parking lot. Staff at the event had no idea what was going on and were actually asking ticket holders if they knew what was going on with the Chili Cook Off.

AWOLNATION killed it, Soundgarden was great. But there was literally 2 stands for chili. And this was a...chili cook off? Not the same as last year. I enjoyed Incubus much more, but this wasn't bad at all for its line up

I came to DC for a vacation with the Soundgarden show being the basis for coming up to begin with. I bought VIP tickets that were to include raised seating - guess what? No raised seating. Food from 3-5pm. Awful BBQ wtih suspect potato salad and slaw and you still had to pay $3 bottle for bottled water. But, besides my griping about the "VIP" experience, the bands leading up to Soundgarden sucked. The sound production for all the shows sucked. It was quite easily the worst outdoor festival experience I've ever been to. Needless to say, I won't be back.

Outstanding chili with friends chill out listen to some good music and go crowd surfing what more could you want??

This was my first Chili Cook-off but it was loads of fun. Will be going next year.

With the exception of the music, the remainder of the venue was a poor excuse based on its namesake. There were ridiculous lines just to acquire $8.00 (draft) beer tickets. Granted if you were lucky enough to find a roaming beer ticket vendor, you could get the tickets for (*gasp*) $10.00 each. Add to that experience, the lack of chili and/or cook-off was a huge disappointment. I did find one vendor that kindly offered chili for my hot dog. Hormel-type chili. Seriously?!

I will NEVER buy a ticket for this event again any time in the near future. The event was misrepresented as a chili cook off. There was no chili present\u2014apparently the chili was not present for the first time. Instead, food had to be purchased and for an example of pricing...lemonade was $7.00 and a bud light on tap was $8.00. A gyro was $9.00. The lines were insane (wait 30 min in line to get your $8.00 beer ticket and then up to an hour in line to get your draft beer with your ticket) and the whole event was held in a PARKING LOT with NO SEATING whatsoever. If you wanted to eat your expensive food, you were sitting on concrete amongst crushed plastic cups. There was not even a designated "sitting-on-the-concrete-to-eat-your-overpriced-food area". It would have been nice if they had a tent area with some kind of temporary seating. The only way the event would ever be worth the money is if you are not planning to purchase food or drink and your only intent is to see your absolutely favorite band which never does shows anywhere else.

I thought the bands were excellent. I hated the overall set-up/flow/logistics of the event though. And there was no actual chili cookoff. Still a good deal and good experience.

Music was amazing, crowd was cool BUT where was the Chili!?!?

Paid 35 buck to wait in line to get in. Waited in a line to get a beer ID bracelet. Waited in a long line to buy $8 budlight coupons. Waited in a long line to receive a beer. Waited in long lines to buy food. I'm pretty sure that I spent 75% of my time in a long line. By the way, where was the chili? This is the first chili cook-off I have ever been to that didn't actually have chilli. FYI, they were giving out free tickets after the Filmore show the night before. That immediately made me feel like I wasted money buying the tickets before even getting there. Which ended up being pretty much the truth.

AwolNation was awesome. There was a bit of audio distortion and failing sound levels leading up to the performance of Soundgarden; which cleared up by their first song. the wether and location were good. plenty of parking and ample room for vendors. Biggest disappointment was there was no chili except that of hard times. besides that 8 dollar beers, lots of porto johns the lines could be up to 10 minutes long.

So, how can this be called a chili cook off when there was no chili to be had anywhere. I thought people entered and cooked their chili for a prize? Some of the craft beers ran out before the last call selling time and the security started pushing people to one line WAY before the last call selling time, so some of us got stuck with now worthless $9 craft beer tickets! The only good aspect of the show was the music. Everything else prettty much sucked. NEVER AGAIN!!!

The bands were all great, but why is it called the chili cook-off? I didn't see much chili and I didn't see anything resembling a cook off. I only saw two vendor tents selling their restaurants very common chili. I think it s time to rename this event.

This was our first Chili Cook-off. Very disappointed in the line situation for beer tickets. It took us 40 min to get tickets. The other frustration was the craft beer line. It just felt like we were in lines too long, could have been more efficient. Bands were great and plenty of port-a-pottys.

Bands were great, but there was no chili! Get some chili or change the name to something less misleading to customers.

I went to this event last year and had a blast. There were chili vendors further than the eye could see and the music was outstanding (Cake and Incubus). Given my previous experience, my friend and I told everyone about this event and got a larger group together to attend this year...only to walk in the gates and find out THERE IS NO CHILI COOK-OFF, just overpriced beer and music. The headliners weren't as good as 2012 in my opinion, and the fact that no one was informed there wouldn't be a Chili Cook-Off part of the event this year was mind blowing. I was embarrassed to hype of this event from my previous year's experience, just to look like an idiot telling everyone, "there's no chili this year". We woke up early to make sure we didn't miss out on the samples and got the most of the day, just to be let down. I felt this was a huge falter on the event coordinator's part and may result in my final appearance at this event.

It was great until it started getting cold out - around 7:30 - so a week later would be awesome!!

I was very disappointed that there was no chilli cookoff at the chilli cookoff. There should atleast have been some other form of entertainment to make up for the chilli cookoff.

I will never be attending DC 101 Chili Cook-off again. Long story short, there is no chili cook off. Chili is supplied by Hard Times and only at 2 locations for a fee. Basically this is just a money grab where they lie to the public and sell them $60 tickets to a sub-par music festival.

I thought you needed at least two contestants to be considered a "cook-off." Only one vendor sold chili this year. I expected overpriced beer, but it's the only thing making your event tolerable, don't charge $9 a cup. I'm glad I got my tickets early, before the price went up, because I'd be livid if I had to shell out more than I did.

The bands were great, but seriously, there was no chili at this chili cook-off. The point of Chili Cook Off, I think, is Chili.

For being a "chili cook-off" there was very little chili available. Also, there should be TVs on the side of the stage so people from the back can view the show.

AWOLNATION was amazing and was the main reason I attended a part from the chili. Soundgarden made the crowd go crazy. There were crowdsurfers and moshpits for every band but security did a good job keeping it safe. BUT THERE WAS NO CHILI. WHY WOULD YOU CONTINUE TO CALL IT A CHILI COOKOFF WITH NO CHILI?!

Bands were good. Barely saw Chili. Everything super expensive!

Here it goes. The bands were awesome. RDGLDGRN and AWOL were the best. No complaints here about the music at all. HOWEVER, the rest of the event was poorly executed at best. I have been the past two years now and absolutely loved both times. This time there were no lawn games set up (except three sets of cornhole whereas last year there was bocce ball and an entire area dedicated to games). The process which you had to go through in order to get a beer was very inefficient as well. Stand in line for half an hour to buy beer tickets just to turn around and go stand in another line for 15 minutes to get a beer. AND AT 8 DOLLARS A POP TOO, not to mention you only sell crap bud light. This was the same price and selection as last year, which is precisely the reason I brought my own alcohol to the event this time. And here's the worst part.... NO CHILI. Really guys? A chili cookoff with no chili cookoff? Saturday was officially the first annual DC101 parking lot concert. We came early specifically to taste chili and you guys COMPLETELY dropped the ball on this. What a disappointment. Don't advertise something that doesn't exist please.

I can't believe this years chili cook off. I've been to many in the past and always had a blast. This year there was no chili! What's a chili cook off without chili? A waste of time and money! There was only one merchandise vender and cars to walk around an look at. Other than those two things there was nothing to do in between bands. I actually recommended my friends(who have never been before) to come to this years event. Need I say try did not have a good time. And shame on DC 101 for not making an announcement that there will not be chili. I would have never come if I had known in advance. Worst cookoff ever. I will not attend it next year if there isn't chili vendors and an amazing line up!

I went for the Siversun Pickups but was rocked by a bunch of other bands I'd never even heard of. Weather was great, lots of activities. Water cost an arm and a leg but that was the worst thing about it.

I went late because i only wanted to see two of the bands playing, Silversun pickups and sound garden, and let me tell you they did not disappoint! The show was awesome the crowd was rowdy and fun. I didn't get their early enough to participate in the smaller chilli experiences but i did have some great funnel cake. My only problem, it seems to be growing more than they can keep up with it, the lines for food and bathrooms are getting longer and longer every year. Also its hard to find water fountains in case of emergencies. Even on cooler show days people were not hydrating well. This is a tradition for me, so i hope next year they get even better bands or at least more that i want to see so i come earlier, Alice in Chains again maybe? Please please please!

The show was amazing! I liked all the bands except sound garden, they were a little outdated compared to the rest of the lineup. The beer and food prices were ridiculous as usual. The event was awwesome!

Unfortunately this was my first CCO, and I was able to see the first time they didn't have chili. I am not going on a rant about chili, although it is quite disappointing to find that out AT the event. No explanation from any of the DJ's from DC101 beforehand. I thought it would've been cool to try a bunch of chili, but no big deal I guess. Once we got there, of course we headed straight towards the beer line. One of the security guys said we needed a wristband. Okay, we get a wristband. I'm about to hand the cashier money for beer. She says we need tickets to get beer. WHAT. After waiting in line 3 times just to get beer (which was 8 or 9 bucks per beer) I decide to just get 2 beers every time so I don't have to miss any bands while waiting in this Godforsaken line. Bands were awesome, I missed RDGLDGRN and Beware of Darkness, but was able to see Capital Cities, who were pretty good. Silversun Pickups are good but even better live. I missed most of AWOLNATION waiting in line for of course, beer. But listening to them from afar they sounded pretty damn good. Soundgarden was sick, I was in a moshpit, then got picked up for crowdsurfing. I've never done this before, so I happened to lose my phone. It was still a blast because we got put in the front of the crowd and I was 5 of 10 feet away from Chris Cornell! Soundgarden did not disappoint as I expected. After the concert some other events happened that just capped the night as one to remember, but I don't feel like discussing that here. All-in-all it was a great day and night. I think I'll go to the next "Chili Cook Off" with no expectations for chili this time, and get drunk before I get there.

I think the name should be changed to Chili-less cookoff or something like that...no chili, really?? The good thing was that this year we had the option to drink good beer and for only a dollar more. Bands were pretty good; attendees are still weird/crazy/gross as ever!

Ok what was up with long lines to get over price tickets for only BEER??? then if you decided to spend extra money for the craft beer you had to wait in another LONG line!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and at a chili cook off only one chile vendor????????

I will not attend next year I was very disappointed when I showed up to a CHILI COOK OFF and guess what there was NO chili in sight. With all the extra open space maybe there could of been more interaction with the paying concert goers just a thought because everyone who attended was MISSGUIDED. Not to mention when I returned home that night I was sick throwing up due to the food that was there.

I have been before and this event has gone DOWNHILL! There was no CHILI, nor a COOKOFF at the Chili Cookoff this year! Long lines at beer ticket line and craft beer tent.

I was there to see Soundgarden and Silversun, but AWOLNation stole the show. Had a great time and the music was tremendous. I'm getting a little too old for the festival scene though. Maybe I will try for the VIP pass next year.

Great show all around, a little disappointed they didn't have Chili. Soundgraden was awesome as was AWOL Nation. Would like to see some better bands at future shows...

This year was my favorite year of going to DC101 Chili Cook Off. I've been several times before and this was the first year for me to meet any of the band members just because they were walking around with all the other concert goers. It is nice to see people of fame kicking it in the crowd