WMSE’s 22nd Rockabilly Chili Fundraiser Set For April 7 at MSOE Kern Center

MILWAUKEE – March 7, 2024 – WMSE is again heating up the city with its 22nd annual Rockabilly Chili fundraiser. Presented by Lakefront Brewery, WMSE’s Rockabilly Chili will occur on Sunday, April 7, at 11 am at the MSOE Kern Center. Thousands of chili lovers will gather to taste and judge more than 50 varieties of chili from restaurants, cafes, and caterers all over Milwaukee.

Rockabilly Chili is fun for the whole family. With DJ Johnny Z from The Chicken Shack and DJ Dietrich from Cartunes on the decks, guests will enjoy music as they rank the chili contestants. Kids will enjoy coloring and puzzles while Station Manager Tom Crawford, also known as WMSE’s Mad Scientist, will serve as emcee. A&M Provisions’ exclusive blacklight-activated hot sauce, Formula 91.7, will also be debuted. As always, attendees can vote for the best meat, heat, veggie, unique chili, and the hottest display in town.

“For two-plus decades, Rockabilly Chili has been more than just a fundraiser for WMSE. It warms our bellies and spirits, uniting chili enthusiasts and music lovers to celebrate community, creativity, and Milwaukee’s outstanding food scene,” says Crawford.

WMSE’s Rockabilly Chili is thrilled to welcome a fresh lineup of contenders ready to spice up the competition. Among the new participants eager to challenge past winners are Buttermint, Ruta’s Fresh Indian Fare, The Wolf on Broadway, Oggie’s Kitchen & Bar, Foxtown Heritage Meats, and Red Maple.

In addition to the exciting lineup of new participants, WMSE is thrilled to welcome back some familiar faces ready to defend their titles: Beans and Barley, Sweet Basil, Crafty Cow, and Twisted Plants are among the returning contenders.

Currently, 43 chili makers have entered the competition, and applications are still open for any restaurants wishing to participate.

Advance tickets are on sale now for $15. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $20. A bundled package of 8 tickets is also available for $100. Each ticket includes four chili samples. With a donation of two or more non-perishable food items to the Hunger Task Force, guests receive two additional sample tickets.

WMSE’s Rockabilly Chili is made possible with the support of MSOE, Clark Graphics, Hunger Task Force, Shepherd Express, Direct Supply, Milwaukee Downtown, Milwaukee Film, Gruber Law Offices, LLC, and A&M Provisions.

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. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.