Everything Is Hotter In Texas!

Oct. 22 Hot Pepper Festival in Palestine
By Teresa Holloway
Messenger Reporter
PALESTINE – Finally, it’s almost time! The annual Hot Pepper Festival in Palestine is right around the corner. The much-awaited event begins at 10 a.m. in downtown Palestine and runs until 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22.
Headlining the smoking hot pepper festival this year is country music star Jack Ingram. The artist won the Academy of Country Music award for top new male vocalist in May, 2008. He has filled in for Bob Kingsley on the countdown and made several top selling country albums.
Ingram, now 46 years old, began his career playing in private clubs in the Fort Worth area. He has opened for other stars like Mark Chestnutt and performed duets with Dierks Bentley and performed on Austin City Limits for their 22nd season.
Now famous in his own right, Ingram is headed straight for Palestine to serenade the festival-goers with his unique brand of country music and one of a kind voice. Bring your lawn chairs and listen in for a while.
In addition to smokin’ hot music, the smokin’ hot pepper eating contest draws huge crowds every year. Plenty of refreshments vendors will be on hand to cool things down with iced drinks and sweet desserts and the perfect combination of festival foods.
Exhibits and crafts will line the streets in every direction and games for the kids, an entertainment zone for all ages and hundreds of activities will keep the whole family happy before the concert begins.
The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. with intricately designed floats, old cars, trucks and trailers and horses that will delight the street side crowds.
The annual event is a true Texas ‘Don’t Miss It!’ affair attended by hundreds of residents and huge crowds of visitors to the area each year.
For more information, contact Palestine City Hall at 903.731.8400.
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