HAMPTON, NH – Want a break from the popular Yankee Homecoming events in Newburyport this weekend? Head north to the Smuttynose Brewery here for a Saturday afternoon of music, beverages and the chance to try some of the hottest peppers on the planet.
The Spicy Shark, which markets a variety of hot sauces, presents the 4th annual New England Hot Sauce Fest, benefiting The Seacoast Science Center and The Blue Ocean Society. The spicy event returns to bring the heat to Hampton from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, July 26 on the grounds of the brewery.
Gabe DiSaverio, owner of Spicy Shark and founder of the only New England hot sauce festival, said, “After three sizzling years, the event is turning up the flame even higher in 2025. Guests can expect a full day of hot sauce tastings, fiery food challenges, ‘80s music and local flavor. New food trucks and old favorites will be on hand to cool tastebuds, while your favorite local crafters showcase handmade goods and specialty items.”
The fiery centerpiece of this year’s festival is a new SCI-FI Pepper Challenge, featuring “blistering” hybrid super-hot peppers developed by Ed Currie, the creator of some of the world’s hottest peppers, the Carolina Reaper and Pepper X.
These Sci-Fi peppers have never been tasted before. For the first time, the main stage contest will be open to 10 contestants (previously five), giving aspiring chili heads the chance to go pepper-to-pepper with seasoned spice legends including Mike Jack, the Scorch Queen, Late for Work and Today’s Adventure.
There will also be amateur Hot Wing, Jalapeno and Super Hot contests.
“Think you can handle the heat?” DiSaverio asked. “We’re accepting chili head resumes now at www.newenglandhotsaucefest.com.”
Bella and Dark from Heat 101 radio station return as the event master of ceremonies, guiding the crowd through contests, giveaways and the day’s hot happenings. More than 30 hot sauce companies from across the Northeast will attend, offering samples, products and spicy stories from behind the bottle.
The New England Hot Sauce Fest is fun for the whole family, with kid-friendly attractions like bouncy houses, face painting and magic shows. Smuttynose Brewery’s award-winning beer will be available for adults.
This spicy celebration is sponsors, including Wells Fargo, Avery Insurance, Bangor Savings Bank, Great Island Realty, The City Beverage Centers and Casella. The festival donates the majority of proceeds to Blue Ocean Society and Seacoast Science Center, supporting marine conservation and environmental education efforts in the region.
Tickets are limited at:
www.newenglandhotsaucefest.com. ♦
