It’s almost time to sizzle in Keremeos.
The Similkameen Country Development Association is bringing back Similkameen Sizzle Fest for one day of fun on Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Memorial Park.
There are 200 varieties of peppers grown in the Similkameen Valley so it seems only fitting that a festival is dedicated to the sizzling hot vegetable. Not only is this party celebrating peppers, it’s also Canada’s only hot pepper festival.
“We are blown away by the anticipation from our community, as well as the support by our chamber members, sponsors and the staff of the village office. We’re excited to finally host the Sizzle again,” said Vanessa Schwoegler-Abbott, administrator at the Similkameen Country Chamber of Commerce.
“Most of our directors and staff are fairly new in their position and with the two-year break due to COVID, only a few of them have organized the Sizzle before. We are super excited for this challenge and draw lots of inspiration from the previous Sizzle events,” she said.
One of the changes this year is they have returned to a one-day event, instead of spreading it over two.
The day will start with breakfast provided by the Keremeos Elks. There will be over 20 vendors - some locals, some who come from far away to be a part of the Sizzle. There will be a bouncy castle again and even a mechanical bull!
The RDOS will be on site with their P.A.T. trailer. Currently, they are looking for more participants for the chili cook-off. A Sizzle Fest wouldn’t be the same without its hot pepper-eating contests.
They are still looking for a few more brave souls to test their tastebuds on some of Keremeos’ hottest peppers. There are tons of great prizes to be had.
Stoke the Fire, a hot pepper producer out of Revelstoke, is bringing down some of their hottest to share in the contest.
READ MORE: Water not a good idea during pepper eating contest
The beverage garden will be stocked with local wine and cider, lots of beer and food trucks will make sure everyone is fed. There are even some new food trucks that have never been part of the Sizzle before. The fest will have the Organic Humans and a local DJ providing the entertainment all afternoon until 11 p.m.
If anyone would like to participate in any way (volunteers, sponsors, contests, vendors), they can email Schwoegler-Abbott at chamber@similkameencountry.org.
The Similkameen Country Development Association not only operates the Tourist Info Centre and Chamber of Commerce for the Similkameen Country, but is also responsible for many events happening in Keremeos – one of them being the Similkameen Sizzle.
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