The 11th annual Valley First Similkameen Sizzle Pepperfest will be held on September 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 entertainment starting at 8:30 a.m. with the Corner Turtles and then Mat Duffus performs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Headliners, The Blackbirds will take the stage starting at 2:15 p.m. until 4:45 p.m.. Food vendors will be offering their specialties throughout the day.
Immediately following 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 vendor’s alley, the annual amateur Chili Cook-off, face painting, climbing wall and bouncy castle for the kids.
This year we 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 open at 12 noon and remain open until 6 p.m. This year’s feature raffle has a fabulous 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 will be available at various locations. They can also be purchased on the grounds throughout the day.
Starting August 18 and each Saturday 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 our website at www.gotpeppers.info.