Support Local Rescue Pups By Tasting 15 Chilis This Weekend in CR

A delicious fundraiser for a local animal rescue is coming up this weekend! The 6th Annual Dogs Forever Chili Cook-Off is happening on Saturday, and YOU are invited!

2026 Chili Cook-Off

Dogs Forever's Chili Cook-Off is set for this Saturday, October 17th at the Wendler Building near NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids (415 12th Ave SE). From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., attendees will be able to pay $5 to taste and judge 15 different chilis made by Eastern Iowans. At the end of your tasting journey, your ticket will serve as your vote for the coveted People’s Choice Award! The winner will receive a prize of $100.

In addition to the competition, event attendees will be able to check out silent auction items, shop Dogs Forever merch, and purchase baked goods for humans AND dogs. All of the proceeds from the event will go to Dogs Forever, one of the wonderful local animal rescues that we work with for our weekly 'Furry Friday' segment. In fact, one of my best friends just adopted one of their pups! His name was Nugget while he was up for adoption, but his new name is Cloud! Isn't he ADORABLE?!

This year, Brain and I will be part of the official judges' panel for the Chili Cook-Off, helping choose this year's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Other judges include local developer Eric Gutschmidt, Scrapmania owner Stacy, Rikki from 'Rikki Goes Out,' and Danielle Wagner from KCRG. We hope to see you there!

Other Ways to Support Dogs Forever

If you can't make it to the Chili Cook-Off, there are plenty of other ways you can support Dogs Forever! Their 2027 Calendar Contest kicks off on November 1st, the 15th annual Holidog Bazaar is set for December 5th, and you can always make a monetary donation or a donation of basic supplies. For more information on Dogs Forever, check out the rescue's website HERE.

Get our free mobile app

Theisen's Dog-O-Ween 2025

Check out some photos from Dog-O-Ween 2025 at the Theisen's stores in NE Cedar Rapids and Coralville!

Gallery Credit: Courtlin

Iowans Show Off Their Adopted Pups on 'National Rescue Dog Day' 2026

In honor of National Rescue Dog Day on May 20th, we asked our listeners to share their adopted pups with us and tell us where they were rescued from. Here are some of those adorable dogs!

Gallery Credit: Courtlin