The Similkameen Sizzle Fest is just days away and already heating up for having even more in store.

Sizzle Fest comes to Keremeos鈥� Memorial Park on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The festival is back with its famous pepper eating contest at 3:30 p.m., best hot sauce contest, bull riding competition and Sizzle market.

鈥淚 think the fact that Sizzle Fest is Canada鈥檚 only hot pepper festival draws in a lot of people, especially with our unique pepper eating contests and fun competitions. It鈥檚 an amazing celebration of our beautiful communities throughout the Similkameen,鈥� said organizer Vanessa Schwoegler-Abbott, administrator of Similkameen Country Association.

Sizzle Fest won the title of Best Festival in Penticton Western News鈥� 2023 Best of the South Okanagan awards.

This year, organizers invited the Similkameen Independent Wine Growers to join them for the first time and together are bringing Sip & Sizzle, a unique tasting event.

Purchase beverage tickets at $1/oz for tastings or glasses of fine wines, ciders and spirits from 14 members. Sip and Sizzle will go from 1:30 p.m. in the beverage gardens.

There will also be more live music than in previous years, vendor tables, food trucks and the market throughout the day, said Schwoegler-Abbott.

Before the festival even got underway, local businesses and organizations have been getting into the spirit and painting their door and window fronts for the Sizzle.

Local eateries and beverage makers are bringing their own spicy bites and sips to the festival.

Local favourite Pickles Ice Cream will be there offering a spicy ice cream and other amazing flavours too.

Hixzee鈥檚 Gourmet Street Food is cooking up a spicy surprise for this year鈥檚 Sizzle.

Sharpe Distillery is planning on bringing a spicy cocktail to the show and The Ranch restaurant is also bringing some hot dishes.

Sizzle Schedule of Events

The day starts with a breakfast by Keremeos Rodeo Association and Hixzee鈥檚 Gourmet Street Food starting at 8:30 a.m.

The Sizzle Market goes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m

There will be a bouncy castle, a mechanical bull and a bull riding competition at 4:30 p.m. Music for the festival will be provided by OK Sax at 2 p.m. and Barrel Maker at 4:30 capping the night with Black of Hearts playing at 7 p.m.

Hot sauce battle at 1:30 p.m.

Sear Factor Challenge is at 3:30 p.m.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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