SNOOK, Texas — This year, Chilifest is aiming to get 'back to its roots," said Chilifest President Cole Roberts.
This year the festival is no longer offering the BYOB policy, implementing onsite vendors and pre-sale options for beverages. The cost for pre-sale will be comparable to prices at local grocery stores, Roberts said.
Roberts said when Chilifest first started, back in the early 2000's, the BYOB policy was not in effect.
Roberts said team captains, who are of the legal age, will be able to pre-order the beverages they want for the festival. The stock of different beverage options, including beers, seltzers, wine coolers and other beverages, will all be packaged together and waiting at team locations when people arrive.
This will give teams more time to focus on building their displays and getting ready, rather than spending time unloading and bringing in all the supplies themselves, Roberts said. He also added that it is a "step in the right direction," when it come to making the event safer.
Also new this year will be the addition of a second stage. Roberts said in years past, when gates opened music wouldn't start until later in the afternoon. Now, with a more centralized stage, as soon as the gates open, live music will start.
This also means more artists will be included in the line-up. Last year's line-up included 11 performers, this year there will be 19.
The line-up will be announced on Jan. 17th at Shiner Park. Pre-sale tickets go on sale Jan. 1st and can be ordered through the Chilifest Website.
Chilifest is April 3rd and 4th in Snook.
