The 11th annual Valley First Similkameen Sizzle Pepperfest will be held on Sept. 15 at Memorial Park in Keremeos.
This event is free to the public and is held each year to thank all the people in the Similkameen Valley who provide us with great wine and fabulous fruit and vegetables. The Similkameen Sizzle Pepperfest is the only hot pepper festival in Canada.
The day will start with a pancake breakfast that begins at 7:30 a.m. with the Corner Turtles kicking off the entertainment at 8:30 a.m. Mat Duffus will perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Blackbirds will headline the festivities, taking the stage starting at 2:15 to 4:45 p.m. Food vendors will be offering their specialties throughout the day.
Immediately following the performance by The Blackbirds, the highly popular Sear Factor Hot Pepper Eating Contest will take place. There will be a celebrity judge yet to be named.
Other events during the day include Vendors Alley, the annual Amateur Chili Cook-off, face painting, climbing wall and Bouncy Castle for the kids.
This year organizers are introducing a hot sauce contest, with celebrity judges tasting the contestants’ spicy entries. Judging will be from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The public will get to sample the sauces after the judging.
The beverage gardens is open from noon until 6 p.m. This year’s feature raffle has a prize valued at over $1,000 from the Similkameen Wineries Association. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and are available at the Info Centre and other locations. They can also be purchased on the grounds throughout the day.
On each Saturday leading up to Sizzle Day, local restaurants are featuring a Sizzle Saturday Hot Special that fits in with the hot pepper theme.
Come out and enjoy a day of fun, food and great music.
For more information, contact Similkameen Country at 250-499-5225 or visit the website www.gotpeppers.info.