Frequently Asked Questions About TICC
1. Where is the cookoff?
The CASI Chili Championship is held on the 320 acre Rancho CASI de los Chisos, owned by CASI; located the north side of Highway 170, eleven miles West of Study Butte and 7 miles East of Lajitas. Google Map of Rancho CASI de los Chisos
2. Where can I stay for the cookoff?
Dry camping at the CASI cookoff site is available on a first-come basis. Several RV parks are in the Study Butte/Terlingua area with varying levels of facilities. Several motels are also in the area, but the supply of rooms is limited on TICC weekend.. Most cookoff participants make their reservations for next year's motel room as they are leaving this year's cookoff. Visit Big Bend Lodging for reference to motels.
3. What facilities are at Rancho CASI for campers?
Port-a-potties are available from Wednesday to Sunday morning. Arrangements can be made directly with the on-site sanitation company if your RV holding tanks need to be pumped out. Water can be obtained on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon if you bring a jug to the Study Butte water company located behind the ghost town. Ice is available at CASI's main concession stand and the Krazy Flats Saloon. Garbage placed in bags need to be put in large containers, so the trash company can pick up daily. Please: All items you bring on your site must be removed and taken with you when you leave.
4. What are the rules for camping at Terlingua?
We want everyone to have a good time and enjoy a safe and (slightly) insane event. Spectator camping in Krazy Flats is on a first come basis, and reserving sites is discouraged. Be courteous to your neighbors when you run your generator. Click on this link to see other Safety Rules
5. What is the schedule of events?
The complete schedule of events will be posted each year by October 1st, under the CASI Terlingua Tab. Events are subject to time and location changes.
6. What about food and drink?
There will be food vendors at the CASI Site starting on Wednesday. The consession stands will sell cold beer and wine. Bring an empty cooler if you want to get warm beer at case prices and buy ice to cool it. Also there are local restaurants in Terlingua Ghost Town and in Study Butte. Basic groceries are available in Study Butte and Lajitas.
7. What if I have a medical emergency?
The local Terlingua EMS is on site, Wednesday through Saturday, during the event. They can treat minor situations, and others are taken to the hospital in Alpine or Midland/Odessa. CALL 911.
8. Is there security on Site?
Yes, we have on site private security personnel and the Brewster County Sheriff's department is on site. They are on duty 24 hours and can be reached by going to the Main Concession Stand or the Krazy Flats Saloon (during hours of operation). The Sheriff's mobile headquarters are located at "Krazy Flats", in front of the Louisiana Hot Sauce pavilion.
9. Are DPS officers at Terlingua?
Yes. Any gathering of people the size of this cookoff has some extra DPS officers assigned to it. They patrol the public highways, looking primarily for driving offenses. To avoid meeting them, camp on the cookoff grounds, or have a designated driver. This is not the place to practice drinking and driving. You could get a free 80 mile trip to Alpine, whether you want to go there or not.
10. I've heard that DPS makes an extra effort to give sobriety tests during the cookoff.
It's probably true. Here are some minimal infractions which can lead to a field sobriety test: speeding (watch it when going downhill -- even 1 mph over the limit); weaving (don't touch the center line or the side line with your wheels); lights (Texas law requires two working lights over your rear license plate); tags (Texas law requires an unobstructed license plate. No license plate holders allowed); road construction areas (It's predictable that speed limits will be reduced where construction is being done).
11. I've heard that the chili cookoff is pretty far out in the boonies. Can I communicate with the outside world from there?
Yes, a cell phone tower is installed on Rancho CASI de los Chisos. The tower provides a digital signal for GSM and CDMA phones (all carriers). WiFi is usually available from tower provider, but usually very slow.
12. Can I participate in any of the activities?
Yes -- all activities, except the Saturday Championship Chili event is open to any and all spectators. Check the schedule for the week. The beans, hot wings, and salsa competitions on Friday are open to anyone who pays the entry fee. (Proceeds go to the scholarship fund). We usually need volunteers to sign up and judge these contests. On Saturday, most of the judges have been doing this for years, but occasionally, there is an opening for a new judge on the first round of judging. Check at sign-up time.
13. What types of clothing should I bring?
You will be in the high desert which is warm during the day and cool at night. You start off in the morning with layers, take the layers off as the day warms up and put the layers back on when the sun goes down. In other words, you bring everything in your closet; especially protective and comfortable shoes.
