8th Annual Bristol PepperFest

The fire returns to Downtown Bristol as the 8th Annual Bristol PepperFest takes over the Downtown Center on Saturday, September 5, from 2 to 7 p.m. Coordinated by Believe in Bristol, the free annual event celebrates all things hot and spicy with food, vendors, live entertainment, a beer garden, pepper-themed fun, and some of the region’s fiercest eating competitions.

The Blazin’ Blues Hot Wing Showdown, presented by Delta Blues BBQ, returns to put competitors to the test as they race to finish a plate of seriously spicy wings and claim PepperFest bragging rights. The Ultimate Beat the Heat Pepper Eating Challenge will turn up the temperature even further, with competitors working their way through increasingly hot peppers provided by local growers Harmony Springs Farm and A Different Chick Farm & Orchard.

Those who prefer their competition with a different kind of fire can get in on the action during the PepperFest “Fire In The Hole” Cornhole Tournament, hosted this year by American Legion Post 145 JSSP as a fundraiser for their free Junior Shooting Sports Program. Teams will face off in a double elimination tournament for a chance to take home the title.

Registration for the cornhole tournament, Blazin’ Blues Hot Wing Showdown, and Ultimate Beat the Heat Pepper Eating Challenge is available in advance at believeinbristol.org/pepperfest.

“PepperFest has really taken on a life of its own over the years,” says Believe in Bristol Executive Director Maggie Elliott. “What started as a way to celebrate niche local farms in Bristol’s food scene has grown into an event that people genuinely look forward to, and so much of that is because of the businesses, growers, sponsors, volunteers, and competitors who continue to make it their own. It’s fun, it’s a little wild, and it’s a great example of the kind of community-driven event we love bringing to Downtown Bristol.”

In addition to the competitions, guests can spend the afternoon exploring food and specialty vendors offering everything from spices and sausages to peppers themselves, and even a make-your-own hot sauce station. Guests can also enjoy live entertainment, grab a drink in the beer garden and a bite from one of the food trucks, and experience everything that has made PepperFest one of Downtown Bristol’s spiciest traditions. The newly crowned 2026 Miss PepperFest queens will also be on site throughout the afternoon after earning their titles during the annual Miss PepperFest Pageant last weekend.

Bristol PepperFest will take place Saturday, September 5, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Downtown Center, 810 State Street, Bristol, Tennessee. Admission is free.

For event details, competition registration, volunteer opportunities, and more, visit www.believeinbristol.org/pepperfest.