Chili Pepperama Festival

The “Chili Pepperama” Festival is back at the Old Town Shopping Center on November 15 to celebrate its 13th year. The event is open to the public with free admission and parking. Chili tasting cups are $5.

The festival salutes the spicy impact of the chile pepper and other hot and fiery ingredients on Texas cuisine. In addition to food sampling, live entertainment, craft vendors, and children's activities, main attractions will include the "Chili Confrontation,” a people's choice where the public votes for their favorites. There are four categories: spicy, traditional, vegetarian, and new wave. In addition, a prize is awarded for best booth and the decor is an attraction in itself. The chili tasting is from noon to 5 p.m. The money raised goes to the many programs offered by the Texas Chef's Association and their scholarship fund.

A wide variety of bands will headline the entertainment at this year’s festival. Bands include Americana group Tredway and Friends, Confederate Soul, Blue Moon Fever, Daddy Rocks, Inner City All-Stars, 3RT & the Desert Moon Band, and more.

More than 7,000 visitors are expected at the event, where willing connoisseurs of all ages can sample and judge over 20 chilis created by some the area's finest chefs at the Texas Chefs Association Chili Confrontation Cook-Off. Visitors can then cool down their taste buds after all that spicy chili with a wide variety of beverages. Several area restaurants will be invited to participate in the cook off. Festival-goers will even be treated to Tornados samples hot and fresh from the Tornados Truck, on tour throughout Texas. (Tornados are a snack with tender meats, cheeses, and zesty sauces wrapped and sealed with a secret batter.)