September 22 & 23, 2007
Sat. 11 – 6 / Sun. Noon – 5 pm
At the Houston Farm and Ranch Club (1.5 miles north of I10 – just off Highway 6) – Google Map

Admission $5, Children under 12 Free. FREE Parking. (Sorry… no pets allowed)

2 Weeks to go. Every year I panic and think the whole thing will be a bust. This year I’m going with what my Dad / Lester* always says “It will all come together in the end.” It sure doesn’t seem like it as we get this close, but he’s right – It does fall in to place like it is supposed to. (* a lot of you have met him at the fest – my mom is also there but is more into hanging in the background.) This would be a great place to thank all the volunteers who make the event possible. 100% of the festival staff are family and friends who give up valuable time to raise money for a good cause. I love them all!!!!! When you see a “staff” badge please be kind – even if they’re a bit slow getting that drink to cool you down when you’re on fire. If you just ate Big Daddy’s Ass Burn, Stupid Hot, etc. or something that has a big warning saying “will take paint off your car” – slow takes on a whole new meaning.

Exhibitor space is sold out! That means something for everyone. Hot Sauce, salsa, chips, dips, peppers, spices, marinades, rubs, jams/jelly, pickled products, condiments, soup mixes, chili mixes, wing sauces, … chunky, spicy, smooth, garlicky, sweet, fruity, peppery, smokey… HOT and MILD! Hundreds and hundreds of hot and spicy products to try out from around the country and Jamaica mon. There is also plenty of food and cold beverages, ongoing stage entertainment, a chile-dren area (including some free and some ‘pay as you go’ activities for the kids), retail vendors, arts & crafts and pepper merchandise.

For a full list of Exhibitors visit our webpage at www.houstonhotsauce.com , click on the green button that says “The Festival” then click on the green “Exhibitors” button on the left.

Don’t forget to pick up your Festival Guide and People’s Choice Ballots at the entrance. Vote for your favorite products and drop off your ballots at the People’s Choice Award Voting area. Look for the signs on the Southwest side of the arena (look to your left when you pass through the gates on your way to the restrooms… everyone heads this way eventually) Voting takes place Saturday – with trophies and ribbons awarded 1st thing on Sunday at noon. The People’s Choice Awards are organized and officially tabulated by Cooper, Penick & Deska, PC

Amateur Salsa Competition: Due to some unfortunate circumstances with the past sponsor – there will be NO Amateur Salsa Competition at the festival this year in 2007. We hope to see you at the festival anyway… and hope to start the Amateur Salsa Competition again in 2008.

In the Meantime…

Mr. and Ms. Houston Hot Sauce Festival 2007! Get Hot, Get Funky… Get Sashed! at the Festival at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 22, we will pick the Best Dressed Chilehead’s at the festival. We’re looking for Mr. and Ms. Houston Hot Sauce Festival 2007! Wear your hot fiery pepper gear (or pick some up at the festival). Head to the stage at 2 p.m. Bring your friends to cheer you on.

Festival Merchandise: 2007 Festival T-shirt (see our awesome design below) available at the festival. We’ve had a lot of requests for ball caps – we will have them! More hot merchandise at the booth: Hot sauce camp shirt, buttons, zipper pulls, pepper skull caps for adults and infants, pepper earrings, bracelets, and more… The Festival Merchandise booth will be the first booth on your left when you come in the entrance gate.

More information can be found on the website at www.houstonhotsauce.com