Chili for a Cause, Bulldogs Under the Lights, and the Righteous Brothers Say Goodbye

Fifty-two years.

That is how long California's state championship chili cook-off has been running.

This Saturday it sets up in Sylvan Park, right next to a field of hot rods, lowriders, and classic bikes. Walking in costs you nothing. The chili costs ten bucks. And every dollar goes to neighbors who are blind or losing their sight.

That is the kind of Saturday this is.

It starts with chili and chrome in the morning, rolls through an all-day Oktoberfest at Hangar 24, and ends under the lights at Ted Runner Stadium, where the Bulldogs host the defending conference champs.

In between: monster crafts for the little ones, 53 brand-new free parking spaces downtown, a free field manual from a Redlands kid turned Navy officer, and a farewell tour up the hill that your parents will want to hear about.

Let's get into what's happening around town.

🍊 Grove Street Headlines

🎓 COMMUNITY

A State Chili Championship, Free to Walk In, and Every Bowl Helps Someone See

The 23rd annual Cruise for Sight Car Show fills Sylvan Park this Saturday, October 10, from 8 AM to 5 PM. Hot rods, customs, antiques, lowriders, foreign cars, motorcycles, even classic bicycles. Spectators get in free. Car show awards go out at 2:30.

Here is the part most people miss. The chili cook-off running alongside it is the 52nd annual California State Championship ICS Chili Cook-Off. That is a sanctioned state title, decided in our park. Tasting starts at 11 AM, a $10 kit gets you samples, and you get a vote in the People's Choice. Add food vendors, a live DJ, a cornhole tournament, and a raffle, and you have a full day without spending much.

It all benefits the Inland Empire Lighthouse for the Blind, which runs programs and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Bring the car guy in your family. Bring the chili snob. Bring cash for the raffle.

Source: Inland Empire Lighthouse for the Blind

🍽️ FOOD & DINING

Redlands Public Market Just Made Dinner Downtown a Lot Easier

If you have ever circled downtown hunting for a spot while your food-hall cravings went cold, this one is for you. Redlands Public Market now has 53 free parking spaces for customers on the east side of the old LOOK Cinemas property. Owner Jerry Tessier says the market rents those spaces specifically for its guests.

Full? You still have options. There is free 90-minute street parking, and the city's Stuart Avenue parking structure is less than a two-minute walk away, just across the train tracks.

Grabbing a to-go order? Use the green curb on Third Street right out front for up to 10 minutes. Just watch the signs, because the other spaces in that old theater lot are paid.

Source: Community Forward Redlands

🌳 Around the Groves

Buy your tickets now: Comedy Night for veterans, November 6. The VAREP San Bernardino Chapter (Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals) brings Roberto Rodriguez, Dick Salas, and Sancho Sanchez, with emcee Laniea D., to Dave & Buster's, 4821 Mills Cir in Ontario. Dinner and social hour at 6 PM, show at 7, and $50 gets you in with light hors d'oeuvres and a drink ticket (tables of six are $275), all to help get vets to CampCares. Get tickets.

Redlands High Class of '86, this one is for you. Your 40th reunion opens with a free, docent-led Alumni Historical Tour of Redlands this Saturday, October 10, from 10 to 11:30 AM aboard an ADA-accessible charter bus. Text Julie Phillips at 949-395-6706 to RSVP and get boarding details.

Bulldog soccer sits on top. The University of Redlands men's soccer team leads the SCIAC at 6-1-4, 3-0-2 in conference, after a comeback 4-2 win over Cal Lutheran and a scoreless draw with Occidental. Forward Zachary Darmanyan added two goals and an assist and was named a SCIAC Athlete of the Week. Full story.

Buonasera a Bella Vista, October 24. The Redlands Conservancy's Annual Fall Social, its biggest fundraiser of the season, moves into Joe and Rachel Shaw's Mediterranean Revival home at 228 Grandview Dr. Food, cocktails for purchase, and a silent auction, with every ticket helping protect the places that make Redlands look like Redlands. Tickets and details.

🍊 Live Music Events

THURSDAY 10/8

The Three Stags Irish Pub — Live Music, check @thethreestags.irishpub for this week's performer

📍 328 Orange St, Redlands, CA | 🕐 8 PM

A pint and a booth on Orange Street is a fine way to start the weekend a day early.

FRIDAY 10/9

Hangar 24 Craft Brewery — Heather in Bluem (dinner set), then Boots on the Runway line dancing

📍 1710 Sessums Dr, Redlands, CA | 🕐 5 to 8 PM, line dancing 8:30 to 11:30 PM

Dinner with live music by the runway, then the floor fills up and the boots come out.

The Three Stags Irish Pub — Live Music, check @thethreestags.irishpub for this week's performer

📍 328 Orange St, Redlands, CA | 🕐 8 PM

Downtown's Irish pub keeps the Friday stage lit.

Septembers Taproom & Eatery — Live Music, check @septemberstaproom for this week's performer

📍 515 Orange St, Ste B, Redlands, CA | 🕐 8:30 PM

Big tap list, a stage, and a room with plenty of heart.

SATURDAY 10/10

Hangar 24 Craft Brewery — Oktoberfest live music (ticketed event)

📍 1710 Sessums Dr, Redlands, CA | 🕐 11 AM to 11:45 PM

Music all day with German games, brats, and a limited Oktoberfest lager. Kids 12 and under get in free.

Ritual Brewing Co. — Live Music, check @ritualbrewing for this week's performer

📍 1315 Research Dr, Redlands, CA | 🕐 7 PM

Saturday sets in one of the best brewery rooms in the Inland Empire.

The Three Stags Irish Pub — Live Music, check @thethreestags.irishpub for this week's performer

📍 328 Orange St, Redlands, CA | 🕐 8 PM

Your landing spot after the game lets out.

SUNDAY 10/11

The Three Stags Irish Pub — Live Music, check @thethreestags.irishpub for this week's performer

📍 328 Orange St, Redlands, CA | 🕐 4 PM

An easy Sunday afternoon set to close out a big weekend.

🎯 Your Redlands Weekend

🚗 Worth the Drive

Big nights just beyond the groves. These are not in Redlands, but they are close enough to matter.

Yaamava' Theater (Highland) — The Righteous Brothers, Lovin' Feelin' Farewell Tour

📍 Yaamava' Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd, Highland, CA | 🕐 Fri 10/9, 8 PM (doors 7)

This is billed as the farewell tour, so if "Unchained Melody" is on your list, this is the night. 21+, tickets via AXS.

Yaamava' Theater (Highland) — Marco Antonio Solís, Tour Gratitud 2026

📍 Yaamava' Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd, Highland, CA | 🕐 Sat 10/10, 8 PM (doors 7)

El Buki closes out the U.S. leg of his tour fifteen minutes from downtown. Expect a sing-along. 21+, tickets via AXS.

Gratitude & Community

If you do one thing this weekend, get to Sylvan Park Saturday, buy a chili kit, and cast your People's Choice vote, because every bowl helps neighbors who are blind or losing their sight.

And if you know a military family, send them Andrew's free field manual at MilitaryTaxPro.com.

I said it on camera, and I will say it here: I am proud of what he built for them.

Snap a photo of your favorite ride or your winning bowl, reply to this email, and I will run the best ones next week.

See you around town,
— Carlos Samaniego, EA
The Tax Debt Detective™ | RedlandsNow.com