Rockingham Times

The 1st annual New England Hot Sauce Fest is a craft hot sauce festival focusing on New England and Northeast makers. Hot Sauce samples, music, food, beer, & family friendly!

HAMPTON—Presented by The Spicy Shark, the 1st Annual New England Hot Sauce Fest will be held Saturday, July 30, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the outdoor field behind Smuttynose Brewery in Hampton. Admission is $10 in advance (non-refundable), and $15 at the door. Kids under 10 are free.

· League of Fire Reaper Challenge Record Attempt by Mike Jack Eats Heat: Most Carolina Reapers Ever Eaten!

· Event MCs: Bella and Dark from Heat 101

· More than 25 hot sauce companies

· '80’s Music all day

· Food challenges including hot pepper eating contests and a hot wing contest

· Specialty local seacoast crafters

· Family friendly

· Bouncy houses & Face Paint

· Smuttynose beer fresh from their brewery on-site

· Food trucks

Sponsored locally by Bangor Savings Bank, The City Beverage Center, Whole Foods Market, NH Magazine, Coca Cola, Cabot Cheese, Port City Veterinary Referral Hospital, and Smuttynose.

The majority proceeds will support two local environmental partners, Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation & Seacoast Science Center.

When deciding on creating this event, Gabe DiSaverio, owner of The Spicy Shark, a craft hot sauce company in Portsmouth, said, “I’ve been to countless incredible hot sauce events across the USA in the last four years, but there’s no real signature spicy event back at home. We have some incredible hot sauce companies in this area, and it’s time to put New England on the map as a spicy region.”

DiSaverio said, “As someone who spent 17 years in the beer business before founding The Spicy Shark, the decision on where in New England to host the event was easy. The location, beers, and people at Smuttynose Brewery are all top-notch.”

The two local environmental non-profits that are the beneficiaries of the event will host informational booths and educational activities. An avid scuba diver himself, DiSaverio said, “The mission of The Spicy Shark is shark and ocean conservation, and I couldn’t think of two better local partners.”

Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation is a Portsmouth-based nonprofit organization that works to protect marine life in the Gulf of Maine. “We are excited to be a part of this event, which brings the community together and supports a healthy ocean,” said Jen Kennedy, executive director. “The funds raised will help us expand our programs to study local whales, clean our beaches, and teach thousands of people about the ocean in the coming year.”

Seacoast Science Center is a non-profit coastal and marine science education institution located in Odiorne Point State Park in Rye. “Being part of this high-profile event will help us share our important message about conservation,” said Karen Provazza, chief communications officer at Seacoast Science Center. “Funds raised will support our educational programs and help us teach more people about our ocean resource and need to protect and preserve it for future generations.”

For information, visit www.newenglandhotsaucefest.com.

Original source can be found here.