WILMINGTON — Main Street Wilmington is cooking up — and brewing up — a new event in a few weeks.

The first Craft Beer Rally & Chili Cook-Off is set for 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13.

Main Street Wilmington has partnered with United Way for this event, with Main Street handling the beer rally and United Way handling the cookoff.

Main Street Co-Director Ruth Brindle said the idea had been bounced around as far back as last fall.

“There was some talk about how cool would it be if there was a beer event that’s a companion to the wine event (Wine Walk),” said Brindle, “but it didn’t have much shape to it.”

Brindle said she views this as an opportunity for the brewers to tell people about their beers and why residents should check them out.

Get beer rally tix early

Tickets have gone on sale for the beer rally portion of the event. Attendees with tickets can enjoy samples of craft beer from seven regional breweries — including locals Brausch Brewery and TinCap — while also enjoying homemade chili (and vote for a favorite), enjoy tailgate activities and watch the big game.

The tickets are only for the beer rally and will allow participants to receive, in total, 12 four-ounce samples of beer. One will be sold per person.

Attendees must bring their order confirmation to the event to receive their tasting card and they must have their ID checked to receive a 21+ wristband prior to receiving tasting card. The wristband must be shown and the tasting card punched for each sample.

Tickets can be purchased online at Mainstreetwilmington.com. Early-bird tickets are $28 until Sept. 21, and $33 from Sept. 22 to Oct. 10 (these prices include processing fees). Tickets can also be purchased in-person at Main Street Wilmington’s office at 100 W. Main St. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. These early-bird tickets, until Sept. 21, are — cash or check only — $25; then $30 from Sept. 22 to Oct. 10.

If you show proof of purchase for tickets for “Fortunate Sons” at the Murphy Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, you can receive a $5 discount on your beer rally ticket. Limit one beer rally discount per concert ticket.

Food fun, too

Main Street Board Member Myron Hale and volunteer Annen Vance have been going out and recruiting the breweries.

“I think they got the fun end of the deal,” said Brindle.

As for the chili cookoff, Brindle said, “You can’t have a bunch of beer without food.”

Main Street Co-Director Darcy Reynolds thought the cookoff was a great idea to have people get involved on some level.

“People take great pride in their recipes and it would just be fun to have a friendly competition,” said Reynolds.

Cookoff proceeds would go to United Way as they plan their 2019 campaign.