Emerald Coast Wrestling Club will host a Fall Festival and Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 2–7 p.m. at American Legion Post 296, 311 Main Street in Destin.
The family-friendly event is being graciously hosted by the American Legion and is open to everyone in the community. The afternoon will include food, games, a bouncy house, dunk tank and activities for both kids and adults.
The Chili Cook-Off will give local cooks a chance to bring out their best recipes, compete against one another and see who makes the best chili in town.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Emerald Coast Wrestling Club, a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth wrestling club that started earlier this year.
“We started Emerald Coast Wrestling Club after last wrestling season because there were kids who wanted to keep wrestling, but they didn’t have a place to go here in Destin,” co-founder Autumn Hipp said. “So much had to fall into place for this club to work, and God had our backs. We have five volunteer coaches, families who have jumped in to help and the American Legion has been a huge supporter of what we’re trying to do.”
The club wasn’t sure what kind of turnout to expect when it held its first practice.
“We really didn’t know if it was going to pan out,” co-founder Josh Hipp said. “Then 30 kids showed up to our first practice. We were blown away. In the five months since we started, we’ve had 72 kids come through the club. It became pretty clear that there are a lot of kids in this area who want to wrestle.”
As the club has grown, so have its needs.
“There’s a big demand for youth wrestling in Destin,” Josh Hipp said. “Our biggest goal right now is getting a club mat of our own. We also want to be able to help kids who might not otherwise be able to afford to wrestle, whether that means helping with their membership, getting them shoes or headgear, or helping our wrestlers get to competitions and practices with other clubs.”
Emerald Coast Wrestling Club is run by volunteers, and the money raised goes back toward supporting the wrestlers and growing opportunities for youth wrestling in the community. The club is currently raising money for a wrestling mat, competition and travel expenses, joint practices with other clubs, membership assistance and wrestling gear for kids who need it.
The Fall Festival and Chili Cook-Off is a chance for the community to come out, have some fun and support local kids at the same time. You don’t have to have a wrestler or know anything about wrestling to attend. Everyone is welcome.
Local businesses and individuals who would like to get involved can also support the club through sponsorships and donations.
Emerald Coast Wrestling Club Fall Festival & Chili Cook-Off
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026 | 2–7 p.m.
American Legion Post 296 | 311 Main Street, Destin, FL
For information about the Fall Festival, Chili Cook-Off, joining the club, sponsorships or donations, contact Emerald Coast Wrestling Club at 509-344-9796 or info@ecwrestlingclub.com
