Visit Mount Vernon-Lisbon

10/24/2026

It’s hoppin’ Uptown! 🌶️ Mount Vernon Chili Cookoff 2026

10/23/2026

Check out tomorrow’s Spicy Deals! Sale info in the caption ⬇️ Mount Vernon Chili Cookoff 2026

On Chili Cookoff Saturday, participating local shops are serving up their own Spicy Deals! Make a day of it by tasting your way through the Mount Vernon Chili Cookoff 2026 and shopping local during the day!

Check out these specials happening Saturday, October 24, and show some love to the local businesses while you're in town!

🌶️ The Local, Mount Vernon- 40% Off Fall Goods
🌶️ Hill of a Deal Discount Store -Mount Vernon, Iowa - 50% Off Store Wide, including squishy toys
🌶️ Bauman's of Mt. Vernon - Mystery Grab Bag
🌶️ Little Scratch Coffee - Apple C***r Based Drink Specials and Spicy Mochas 10% off
🌶️ Wren and Purl - Limited edition Colorway Yarn - Chili Cookoff 2026 and 10% off a Cozy Chili Mystery
🌶️ Iron Leaf Press- Spice Up Your Writing Instruments & Stationery! Open 11-3
🌶️ Bass Farms L.L.C. - 10% off Salsa & Hot Sauce
🌶️ Silver Spider - Extra 25% Off Toys Over $10
🌶️ Abbe Creek Gallery - 5% Off Textile Art
🌶️ Back Porch Pickers and Artisans - 20% Off Soup Mixes
🌶️ Angel's Nest & Hands in Harmony MV- Spend $50 Get a Free Gift with Purchase ($24 value) while supplies last

* Bass Family Farms is located on HWY 30, and Back Porch Pickers is a couple blocks North on 1st Ave N. Make sure to stop on your way into town for the cookoff!

10/23/2026

See you tomorrow at the Mount Vernon Chili Cookoff 2026 🌶️

10/23/2026

Mount Vernon Chili Cookoff 2026. Tomorrow. PUBLIC TASTING 3-5:30pm!!

The Bags Tournament starts at 12:30pm, with registration starting at 11:30am. Tickets are $20 per team and benefit the Mount Vernon Booster Club & CDG.

Public Tasting Info:
🌶️ $20 Passport Card for 25 Tastings
🌶️ $1 Individual Tastings
🧀 Grilled Cheese & Beverages available for purchase

See you tomorrow! Let the chili games begin!

10/22/2026

Here are two upcoming opportunities to see live theatre and live music!

☠️ MVLCT presents Skin & Bone, running October 23, 24, 30, and 31. Purchase your tickets at MVLCT.com. (Planning to go to Chili Cookoff this Saturday? Finish the day with Skin & Bone!)

🎻 BNTB & House of Hamill are performing live folk/Celtic music on Friday, Nov. 13th at 7pm. You won't want to miss! Tickets at BNTBMusic.com.

Read more about the charm of MVL ➡️ https://visitmvl.com/beyond-main-street-discover-the-charm-of-mount-vernon-lisbon/

10/21/2026

This is such an amazing story of uncovering a mural during building renovations at The Local ❤️

Thank you to the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission for documenting the town’s public art and to The Local for preserving our town’s history on the walls of your shop!

10/20/2026

Part of what makes MVL so charming are the opportunities to gather throughout the year. Gather with us THIS SATURDAY at the Mount Vernon Chili Cookoff 2026 on 1st Street East.

Schedule:
12:30 Bags Tournament (registration begins at 11:30, cost $20, proceeds go to the MV Booster Club and CDG)
3:00 PUBLIC TASTING BEGINS
5:30 Public Tasting Ends
5:45 Winners Announced

Tasting Info:
$20 Passport Card (25 Tastings)
Individual Tastings, $1 each
Grilled Cheese and beverages available for purchase

Chili, beverages, community... GOOD FOR THE SOUL! See you this Saturday 🤩

10/19/2026

Guess what?! It is CHILI COOKOFF week, so it is the perfect time to introduce our amazing board member, Naomi Winder!

Naomi lives in Mount Vernon with her husband, Ryan, and their son. A Pennsylvania transplant, she’s found a true home here and loves how welcoming our community is.

By day, Naomi serves as the Director of Donor Relations and Communications at Cornell College . Around town, you’ll often spot her repping Cornell purple at ribbon cuttings and cheering on our local businesses.

Naomi and Ryan are VITAL committee members of the annual Chili Cookoff, helping make one of our community’s favorite events a success each year. The event is this weekend, so you can thank Naomi for her tireless volunteer efforts by attending the event 🌶️🎉

THANK YOU, Naomi!! We will see you this Saturday at Mount Vernon Chili Cookoff 2026!

10/16/2026

What makes Mount Vernon and Lisbon special to you?

Is it your favorite local coffee shop, the familiar faces around town, Friday night lights, a community event, or something else entirely?

We think the charm of MVL goes well beyond Main Street, and we want to hear what makes this community feel like home to you.

Tell us in the comments! And if you have a photo that captures the charm of MVL, we’d love to see it.

P.S. Rent your Halloween Costumes at the Lisbon Library & get ready for Lisbon's Halloweentown on October 31st from 5-7pm!

10/15/2026

On Chili Cookoff Saturday, participating local shops are serving up their own Spicy Deals! Make a day of it by tasting your way through the Mount Vernon Chili Cookoff 2026 and shopping local during the day!

Check out these specials happening Saturday, October 24, and show some love to the local businesses while you're in town!

🌶️ The Local, Mount Vernon- 40% Off Fall Goods
🌶️ Hill of a Deal Discount Store -Mount Vernon, Iowa - 50% Off Store Wide, including squishy toys
🌶️ Bauman's of Mt. Vernon - Mystery Grab Bag
🌶️ Little Scratch Coffee - Apple C***r Based Drink Specials and Spicy Mochas 10% off
🌶️ Wren and Purl - Limited edition Colorway Yarn - Chili Cookoff 2026 and 10% off a Cozy Chili Mystery
🌶️ Iron Leaf Press- Spice Up Your Writing Instruments & Stationery! Open 11-3
🌶️ Bass Farms L.L.C. - 10% off Salsa & Hot Sauce
🌶️ Silver Spider - Extra 25% Off Toys Over $10
🌶️ Abbe Creek Gallery - 5% Off Textile Art
🌶️ Back Porch Pickers and Artisans - 20% Off Soup Mixes
🌶️ Angel's Nest & Hands in Harmony MV- Spend $50 Get a Free Gift with Purchase ($24 value) while supplies last

* Bass Family Farms is located on HWY 30, and Back Porch Pickers is a couple blocks North on 1st Ave N. Make sure to stop on your way into town for the cookoff!