- 28th annual event set for Sunday, August 26
- Benefits Central Texas Food Bank
- Provided more than 65,000 meals to Central Texans in need last year
AUSTIN, TEXAS, August 17, 2018 – Spice lovers will come together to turn up the heat during the hottest month in Texas by eating hundreds of gallons of hot sauces in every variety for the 28th Annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival from 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 26, 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, experience cooking demonstrations, try local restaurants, and enjoy live music, all to benefit the Central Texas Food Bank’s mission of fighting hunger.
Admission to the event is free to the public with a suggested donation of three healthy, non-perishable food items or a $5 cash donation to the Food Bank. The $5 donation provides 20 meals for Central Texas families in need.
“This event brings the community together to fight hunger at a crucial time for Central Texas families,” said Derrick Chubbs, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “It’s vital that children in our community have access to nutritious food as they head back to school. The Hot Sauce Festival helps make sure they’re starting off on the right foot. Last year, the event raised nearly 65,000 meals for Central Texans in need. This year, we’re looking forward to even more, thanks to the Austin Chronicle and generous community support.”
“We're hoping Central Texans will show up for our neighbors in need and help raise more meals than ever,” said Jessi Cape, Food Editor of The Austin Chronicle. "The Hot Sauce Festival and the Central Texas Food Bank have a 28-year partnership even better than chips and salsa. We're excited to just go ahead and embrace the heat while we enjoy a few gallons of top-notch hot sauce, cold beverages, and dancing to one of Tejano music's all-time greatest bands.”
In addition to more than 350 hot sauce entries, Little Joe y La Familia, El Tule, Altamesa, Big Wy’s Brass Band and Chulita Vinyl Club ATX are scheduled to take the stage to provide musical entertainment at the festival. Little Joe y La Familia has become a top Tejano band in their more than 50-year history and will be headlining the Hot Sauce Festival at 3:30 P.M. before the winning sauces are announced.
