BRISTOL – September 23 marks the official end of summer. But in Bristol, the heat continues in the form of brightly colored and hot peppers at this year’s PepperFest.
The fifth annual event is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, September 23, in downtown Bristol. The free event will bring eating contests, cooking demonstrations, chili and sauce plant sales, food trucks and other “spice” vendors, a beer garden and live music.
“We are really excited about how this event has evolved over the years,” says Maggie Elliott, executive director of Believe in Bristol, in a press release. “We created it as a way to grow our downtown food experience strategy and we’re really proud of the positive reception the event has received and the partnerships that have resulted from it. Our organization is truly community-oriented, and this event is a great example of how important it is for the community to be a part of everything we do.”
Quaker Steak & Lube will once again offer the Triple Atomic Wing Challenge, offering eight contestants the chance to win prizes if they are the first to finish their plate of extreme wings. Only Burns Twice Chili Peppers will also receive a batch of 10 extra-hot chili peppers for eight other contestants to compete in the final “Beat the Heat” pepper-eating competition, the release said. Pre-registration is currently open for both dining competitions at www. believeinbristol.org/pepperfest.
Participants in last year’s eating contest felt the heat.
Bristol PepperFest will also include a Cornhole Tournament fundraiser for Believe in Bristol, the event’s host. Teams must register online prior to the event at www. believeinbristol.org/pepperfest.
In the lead-up to Bristol PepperFest, downtown visitors can enter to win prizes by participating in the Bristol PepperFest Spicy Scavenger Hunt, hosted on the GooseChase app. According to event organizers, this digital scavenger hunt will have participants research a variety of spicy menu items available at Bristol city center restaurants and bars and take a selfie at each stop. To play, individuals can download the GooseChase app, log in or create an account, search for Bristol Pepper Fest and start collecting.
For more information about Believe in Bristol and to browse other events in downtown Bristol, visit www.BelieveInBristol.org.
