This Saturday, DC 101 is once again hosting its annual Chili Cook-Off, that popular concert, food and drink festival of gong show proportions that benefits the National Kidney Foundation. Tickets are sold-out, but for those of you who already got yours or are willing to brave the wilds of craigslist to score some, be sure to stop by the judging area and say hello to myself and DCist Food Editor Adam Bailey. Adam will be judging the International Chili Society sanctioned Red Chili contest starting at 2 p.m., because he knows actual stuff about food. I’ll be judging the 1 p.m. “Bring Your Own Chili”, anything-goes freestyle competition, because all I bring to the table is a willingness to be poisoned by strangers.

The full line-up of bands playing at the Cook-Off can be found here, which includes Silversun Pickups and The Bravery. Gates open at 11 a.m. at 11th and New York Ave. NW, and the event will keep on going until 8 p.m. for anyone still standing after a day of constant chili and beer consumption.

To be honest, we’ve never been to one of these before, so you’ve gotta help us out: What should we expect? Any tips you can offer us (and your fellow readers) would be most appreciated.