PAIN: Chugwater Wyoming Jalapeno Eating Contest

The 2026 Chugwater Chili Cookoff and Rodeo celebrated its 40th anniversary last weekend, and the number of people who attended broke all previous records by a long shot. Honestly, we have never seen lines like that.

Great bands, great food, and vendors. But also the pie and hot jalapeno eating contest.

First the kids go, then the adults. An audience gathers to watch and see who will drop out first. These people are sadistic.

Most contestants don't finish the jalapeno eating contest.

The contest begins, and the contestants start eating those jalapeños like it's nothing. They have to eat them all the way down to the stem.

After a few minutes, you'll see their ears start to go red. Then their cheeks. Watch their whole face go red next. Eyes go bloodshot. They look a little tipsy at this point. When snot starts running from their nose, they are nearly done.

Chugwater Chili Cookoff photo by Tim Mandese 1

One at a time, they start dropping out. The audience applauds those who failed because at least they tried.

It's gross, I know. But it's worth watching. Because we are all sadistic like that.

There are a few who can eat all of those jalapeños without it affecting them a bit. It's strange to watch. They don't feel a thing. Maybe that's a mutant power. I'm not sure.

The jalapeno contest is part of the Chugwater Chili Cook-off, celebrating the town's legacy.

Started in 1986, the Chugwater Chili Cook-off was created by the Chugwater Chili Corporation to celebrate the town's legendary chili and boost the local community. Over the past four decades, it has grown from a simple local contest into Wyoming’s largest single-day event, drawing thousands of visitors.

See the gallery below from 2023, including the pie eating contest.