For more than 20 years, Keremeos has hosted Canada's only hot pepper festival and on Sept. 21, the Similkameen Sizzle returns.
The organizers are promising the spiciest festival yet, complete with multiple spicy contests.
The free festival kicks off at 10 a.m. with a market featuring local vendors, food trucks, and kid-friendly activities, including a bouncy castle.
The Similkameen Independent Winegrowers are bringing back the Sip and Sizzle, in partnership with the Similkameen Country Association.
"We鈥檙e beyond excited to bring everyone together for another unforgettable day of food, music, and fun," said Vanessa Schwoegler-Abbott, festival coordinator. "Our goal is to showcase just how amazing our community here in Keremeos truly is. We encourage folks from out of town to make a weekend trip of it 鈥� there鈥檚 so much to explore in our beautiful valley. Come for the Sizzle, and stay to discover everything else the Similkameen has to offer."
The Sip and Sizzle will run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and offer a taste of the best local wines, ciders and spirits.
For those who want to put their taste buds to the test, two different spicy contests will be held at 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The first is the hot sauce contest, but it's the Sear Factor that cranks up the heat. The hot pepper eating contest requires registration and is limited to people aged 19 and older.
Live music will fill Memorial Park through the day, and the Similkameen Country Association will also be running 50/50 raffles all day.
The festival currently has a packed schedule of activities, more than 45 vendors and new food trucks.
