Hot Sauce Festival Scheduled In Austin

AUSTIN, TX — This will be heaven for spicy food fans. Austin will be a Mecca for lovers of spicy food at the 29th Annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival scheduled later this month.

The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25, at Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St. The largest hot sauce festival in the world is back to give attendees a chance to sample and purchase hundreds of hot sauces, try local restaurants and enjoy live music, all to benefit the Central Texas Food Bank’s mission of fighting hunger.

Attendances this year could break last year's record. Last year’s festival provided nearly 57,000 meals to those in need and has raised a total of 875,700 meals in its 28 year history.

Admission to the event is free to the public with a suggested $5 cash donation to the Food Bank. Each $5 donation provides 20 meals for Central Texas families in need.

“This event provides a lot of relief for Central Texas families at a time of extreme need,” Derrick Chubbs, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank, said in a prepared statement. “Having access to nutritious food as they head back to school is vital for kids’ ability to learn and thrive. Your contributions at the Hot Sauce Festival helps make sure they’ll start the school year off on the right foot. Last year, the event raised nearly 57,000 meals for Central Texans in need. This year, we’re looking forward to even more, thanks to the The Austin Chronicle and generous community support.”

Festival goers can sample hundreds of hot sauces with chips provided by Fiesta Tortillas, cool off with ice-cold Firemans Light, and enjoy food from Amy's Ice Creams, Garbo's Lobster Truck ATX, Johnny Joe’s Concessions, Sauce Odyssey, Sun Garden Shaved Ice, Torchy's Tacos, and Ze Wurst.

Along with the popular hot sauce competition and vendors, this truly Austin festival features live music from Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis, Harry Edohoukwa, Mariachi Capitál, and Batty jr. The Hot Sauce Festival is in part made possible by Firemans Light, Capital Metro, KUTX 98.9, Orange Theory Fitness, Planet K Texas, and Univision Austin.

For more information, visit austinchronicle.com/hotsauce.