Saturday morning saw a good sized and steady turn out of participants to the 10th annual Similkameen Sizzlefest at Memorial Park in Keremeos.
Predictions of the possibility of rain proved wrong through the morning hours as vendors set up their booths and the Keremeos Volunteer Fire Department fed several hundred guests.
The festival saw nonstop music all day, with The Corner Turtles providing the initial entertainment, followed by Matt Dufus, who kept the kids engaged through the chili cook off and noon hour.
Gary Comeau and the Voo Doo All Stars took over for the afternoon set, playing a variety of music genres that was immensely suitable for the steady, strong turnout that characterized a very successful tenth anniversary version of Sizzlefest.
One of the biggest attractions of the day turned out to be the all encompassing variety of food vendors who lined the edges of Memorial Park. With an emphasis on all things spicy, there was something for everyone at this year’s festival. Gourmet paninis and grilled corn on the cob vied with soft ice cream, popcorn and the inevitable mini donuts for people’s palates.
A large audience gathered towards the end of what suddenly turned into a beautiful, sunny and warm late summer afternoon to watch the Sear Factor pepper eating contest.
Twenty contestents vied for $200 in prize money in a contest won by David Melnnyk of Vancouver, who ate three Jalapeno peppers in 29.6 seconds.