Wildseed Farms announces a new festival this summer July 28 and 29 the Gourmet Chili Pepper and Salsa Festival. Wildseed Farms known for their flowers will be planting several fields of peppers: chilis for ristras and drying, specialty and ethnic peppers, sweet and hot peppers, southwestern style chilis, ornamental peppers and more.

John R. Thomas, Wildseed’s founder and president, knows that color reigns on the vast, open fields along the highways. In 1983, there were very few sources for wildflower seeds; the seeds that were available were prohibitively expensive. The public’s love of wildflowers and demands from landscape contractors and the highway department motivated Thomas to turn his sideline turf seeding business into a full-time wildflower farm. In addition, he developed a machine to plant the tiny seeds and another to harvest them. Then the new company pioneered the practice of planting wildflowers in rows on large acreage.

Today, Wildseed Farms is the largest working wildflower farm in the U.S. At its Hill Country headquarters, the farm has more than 200 acres under cultivation. Wildseed Farms produces 88 varieties of wildflower seeds, which are available individually and as regional mixes, specialty mixes or custom blends.

This new festival will not only promote chili peppers but educate the folks as well. On hand will be Jerry Parsons, Ph.D., is the horticulture specialist with the Texas Cooperative Extension in San Antonio. He has been a popular Extension Service personality for more than two decades, becoming something of a cult figure in the agricultural world of South Texas. Along with Parsons will be the WOAI RADIO 1200 AM HOME & GARDEN SHOW host David Rodriguez. He is the Bexar County Horticulture Agent. John Thomas will be speaking too, all three will be discussing a variety of subjects on growing these plants and summer color.

Other activities include guest chefs demonstrating how to cook with peppers, entertainment from Cajun to oldies, salsa booths and more.

The dates are July 28, 10am- 10pm and 29, noon-6:00pm; Admission, 12 and older $8 and Under 12 $2. The admission fee includes everything at Wildseed Farms: Butterfly Haus, Market Center, Festival grounds, Brewbonnet Biergarten, wildflower fields, pepper fields.

For more information call 830-997-8515 or toll free 1-866 839-3378 or visit
www.wildseedfarms.com or www.tex-fest.com.

WILDSEED FARMS 100 Legacy Drive, PO BOX 3000, Fredericksburg, TX 78624