Wisconsin’s Largest Restaurant Chili Competition, WMSE’s Rockabilly Chili, Returns March 22

MILWAUKEE – February 10, 2026 – WMSE 91.7 FM is turning up the heat as it announces the return of Rockabilly Chili, Wisconsin’s largest restaurant chili competition, on Sunday, March 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Milwaukee School of Engineering Kern Center.

Now in its 24th year, Rockabilly Chili brings together chili lovers from across the region to sample more than 40 recipes prepared by some of Milwaukee’s best restaurants, cafes, and caterers. The annual fundraiser supports WMSE’s listener-supported programming while celebrating the city’s vibrant and creative food scene.

“Rockabilly Chili brings people together in a way few events can,” said Tom Crawford, WMSE station manager. “It reflects the creativity, pride, and sense of community that make Milwaukee special, and it remains one of the most anticipated days on our calendar.”

Guests play a central role in Rockabilly Chili by voting to determine the winners in categories including Best Meat Chili, Best Veggie Chili, Best Heat, Most Unique, and Best Display. The full list of participating restaurants will be announced soon, giving attendees the chance to plan their tasting strategy and help decide this year’s champions.

As part of the celebration, and in honor of WMSE’s 45th anniversary, the station has partnered with Garden Fire Spice Co. to craft a limited-edition hot sauce for the event. This year’s sauce, 45 Tears, was created exclusively for Rockabilly Chili and commemorates 45 years of WMSE’s independent, free-form radio service to Milwaukee. 45 Tears will be available at wmse.org/store and in limited quantities at Rockabilly Chili.

Advance tickets for Rockabilly Chili are $15, tickets at the door are $20, and a bundle of eight tickets is available for $100. Each ticket includes four chili samples, with additional samples available for purchase. Guests who donate two or more nonperishable food items to Hunger Task Force will receive two additional sample tickets as a thank you for their generosity.

WMSE’s Rockabilly Chili fundraiser is made possible with the support of presenting sponsors Lakefront Brewery, Gruber Law Offices, LLC and X-Ray Arcade, along with Lifetime Door, MSOE, Clark Graphics, Milwaukee Downtown, Hunger Task Force, Direct Supply, Milwaukee Film, Milwaukee Record, Hundred Grasses Acupuncture and Garden Fire Spice Co.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit wmse.org/chili.

About WMSE
“Anti-established” in 1981, WMSE 91.7 FM, Frontier Radio has grown into Milwaukee’s truest and longest-standing music radio institution. A financially independent department of the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), WMSE – with a 24-hour free-form format representing every musical genre – has been primarily funded by listening supporters and community partners since 1997. The station’s vision is to educate the listening community by providing a wide selection of musical programming not heard anywhere else in the market. WMSE is Milwaukee’s champion for the city’s diverse community of musicians and artists. For more information, visit www.wmse.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.