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Festival hours are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All of the activities will be centered around the Main and Elm parking lot and nearby streets.
Admission is free to the Fall Festival, but there will be a $7 entry fee to the cook-off which includes a commemorative chili mug and tastings.
"This year's event is really shaping up to be something special," said Bridgette Epple, executive director of Downtown Washington Inc., which sponsors the festival.
"The committee has worked so hard to put together a great show. We've made some changes in response to what the community asked for, including beefing up our Strassenfest activities," she said. "We also will have an all-German musical lineup that we're very excited about."
Epple said she expects between 10,000 to 15,000 over the three days, but the unknown is always the weather.
The extended forecast is calling for highs in the mid-70s this weekend with a chance for rain.
"Whatever the weather, we'll be open. We are a rain or shine event so don't let the weather keep you from coming down. We'll have plenty of covered areas for visitors," Epple said.
A total of 31 teams will compete Friday night for best chili honors, as well as best decorated booth and best costumes. This year's theme is bands/musicians.
Tips from the cook-off will benefit the Franklin County Area United Way.
The musical entertainment Friday night will be Russ Anderson, who will perform from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the parking lot.
The chili booths will be set up under the Farmers' Market, the Main and Elm parking lot and along the adjacent streets.
On Saturday and Sunday, the crafters will be located along Main and Elm streets. The Farmers' Market also will be open both days.
Among the one-of-a-kind handcrafted items to be available for purchase are ceramics, pottery, jewelry, clothing, paintings, wood furniture and more.
To celebrate Washington's German heritage, Strassenfest will be "bigger and better" this year, with special decorations, microbrew beer, food and entertainment.
Four different microbrews - Samuel Adams Octoberfest, Boulevard Oktoberst, Blue Moon Belgian White and Hofbrau - will be available for purchase. Budweiser products also will be sold.
An apple strudel bake-off also is planned for the first time. The contest will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. Three judges will select the best "apfel-strudel" based on taste, appearance and presentation.
Festivalgoers also may bid on decorated chairs and benches as part of the Charming Chairs silent auction. The chairs, donated by local businesses and individuals, will be on display at the corner of Main and Elm streets.
The bidding will close at 3 p.m. Sunday and winners will be called that day.
A wide variety of festival food will be available, including pork burgers, hamburgers, turkey legs, funnel cakes, lemonade and German items such as brats, sauerkraut and potato pancakes. The downtown organization plans to sell Gus' soft pretzels.
Live music is on tap all weekend. On Saturday, The World's Finest Rolla German Band will perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by Solo Richie from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
On Saturday night, the Washington Lions Club will sponsor a street dance to celebrate its 70th anniversary. The Rufkahr Brothers will play beginning at 6 p.m.
The live entertainment continues on Sunday with the Polka Connection from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
