If you are looking for a reason to (voluntarily) spend some time outside in January, the Madison Chamber of Commerce has you covered. The fourth annual Souper Bowl returns to town Saturday, Jan. 26 and promises plenty of good food, some new participants, and an old rivalry.

Put on by the Madison Chamber of Commerce, the event originally came together as a way to get people outside and raise a bit of money, according to Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Eileen Banisch.

“It’s a fun event to break up the winter doldrums, get out of the house, see people, taste great soups and chilis,” she said.

The event takes place downtown and over a dozen local businesses and non-profits are expected to participate including Cafe Allegre, Christy’s Madison, Donohue’s Madison Beach Grille, Moxie, Madison Senior Center, and RJ Cafe & Bistro. New players this year include What’s Cookin’, James Madison House, Madison RTC, and the Knights of Columbus.

Residents pay $10 for an entrance wristband and then get to taste a variety of chilis and soups. All money raised goes back to the Chamber for scholarship programs and other chamber initiatives.

Last year over 400 residents came out for the event. Returning participants this year will notice one big change—no plastic.

“In keeping with our Turn the Tide on plastic campaign, this year we are using paper cups and issuing each participant one stainless spoon for them to use for their tastings, rather than a plastic spoon for each bowl they try,” said Banisch. “We are collecting spoons at the end and the Madison Beach Hotel is washing them for us to use again next year.”

Participants get to vote on the various soups and chilis sampled and the battle for first place in the chili contest between Madison Hose Company No. 1 and North Madison Volunteer Fire Department is always worth keeping an eye on. For those keeping score, Madison Hose Company No. 1 took first place last year.

The fourth annual Souper Bowl is Saturday, Jan. 26 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in downtown Madison. The inclement weather date is Sunday, Jan. 27. For more information or to purchase a ticket in advance, visit www.madisonct.com.