Fall heats up with Hot Pepper Festival
Oct. 24—The Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to host the 'hottest little festival in Texas' this Saturday, Oct. 28. For more than 20 years, the Chamber annual Hot Pepper Festival has been a celebration of food, fun, live music and community.
"Lots of changes and additions to this years' festival promises to make your experience one you won't soon forget," said Chamber Director Angela Howell-Fields. "We invite all, near and far, to come out and enjoy a day packed full of fun. The festival will open at 9 a.m. Saturday with over 100 craft and retail booths, with items ranging from boutique apparel to 3D prints to freeze dried goodies to toys, knives and so much more."
This year's parade, with a first responder and military theme, begins at 10 a.m. Parade entries will begin at the courthouse and travel down Ave A, turning onto Spring St. then to Queen St. turning onto Crawford St. and traveling back to the courthouse.
The 'Old Town Get Down' Hot Pepper Fest Car & Truck Show is a new addition to this year's festival. Check out vintage, classic and custom cars and trucks at 113 E. Crawford St. in Palestine starting immediately after the parade.
Howell-Fields said the Jalapeno Tree Mexican Restaurant Kid's Zone, located in the Redlands Hotel parking lot, will feature bounce houses, a rock wall, a mechanical bull, a barrel train and more.
Live Music will begin on the Michelob Ultra Main Stage at 11 a.m. with Carvin Walls, a Nashville Duo, and Dogwood Festival favorite Davi Jay and the Bourbon Street Experience at 1 p.m.
The Jalapeno Tree Mexican Restaurant Performance Stage will feature local area dance and cheer studio performances, all day, starting at 11 a.m.
New to this year's festival is the "Lil Miss and Lil Mister Pepper" Costume Contest being held on the Jalapeno Tree Mexican Restaurant Contest Stage. Howell-Fields said this event is for children from around the area to dress up as their favorite heroes, like first responders or military costumes. All participants will receive a goody bag and over 20 awards will be given. Registration for the "pageant" will be accepted through Thursday, Oct. 26.
After the kids pageant, at 3 p.m. on the Jalapeno Tree Mexican Restaurant Contest Stage the Chamber will host a "Celebrities Stuffed Pepper Eating Contest" where some well-known, local names will eat peppers ranging on the heat scale as quickly as they can, all for a local non-profit of the winner's choice.
The Chamber is also setting up a farmer's market area that will be full of your favorite local vendors from the Palestine Farmer's Market.
Howell-Fields said don't miss the brand-new Palestine Police Department's Mobile Command Trailer, making its debut and offering a central location for emergencies and community support.
This year the festival area has been extended to include Old Town on Crawford Street where Wells Creek Market will be hopping all day. Hambone's will feature a pepper eating contest, and Power Laser Tag brought to you by J&K Electric in the Old Town Hollow, behind Hambones and Oxbow Bakery.
As the main festival comes to a close, enjoy after-hours in Old Town, which Howell-Fields said has been dubbed the "the mini festival after the festival." Activities have been extended to 7 p.m.
The Carolina Reaper Cornhole Tournament kicks off at 4 p.m. with $1,000 in cash prizes. Registration for the tournament has been extended to Oct. 26. For the littles, while their parents play cornhole, there will be a movie playing on a giant inflatable screen, a bounce house and free popcorn.
After-hours in Old Town is being brought to you by Pint and Barrel Drafthouse, Braly's Ace Hardware and Elliott Auto Group.
Howell-Fields said all information, activities, locations and more will be available at one the Chamber's 10 Visitor Information Booths, located throughout the festival for your convenience.
"Be sure to stop by and grab a map so you don't miss anything," she said. "We are looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend at the Hot Pepper Festival."
Parade, pageant and cornhole registration forms are located on the Chamber's website at palestinechamber.org.
For more information, call the Chamber at 903-729-6066.
