Austin Hot Sauce Festival (Dallas, Howe: buy, shop, food)

[Soviet]

I recently saw information for the 24th Annual Austin Hot Sauce Festival on August 24. Seems pretty interesting, but how exactly does it work? They recommended bringing canned food as your "admission fee" & then you just roam the grounds trying out hot sauces? Do you try the hot sauce with food (meats, tortillas, what?) that is free or required to be purchased? Is there free water or free drinks or do you have to pay for drinks?

I was just wondering if anyone has attended a previous Austin Hot Sauce Festival and could explain more about how it works. The website didn't give me enough of the information I wanted, so I'm asking y'all! :-)

[atxcio]

I've attended many times. Yes, you just bring a few of cans of food and drop them off at the front, and they let you in.

There are vendor booths where you can taste their sauces, and they'll provide tortilla chips usually (always free), but you can buy their sauces as well.

Then there is one main tent where you sample all the sauces entered into the judging contests. Usually there are a lot of entries, maybe in the 100 or so range, and they typically have them separated in different lines for Red Sauce, Green Sauce, and Special Variety. They give you free tortilla chips to taste with, you just spoon a little sauce on one to taste. It's all free.

They have free water at stations. You can also buy bottled water and of course beer/wine. And they sell food.

Here are the main two things you need to know:

1) It's August, and that means it's gonna be hot. Usually really hot. Stay hydrated and use sunscreen.
2) Because it's a free event, it's usually packed and the lines can be very, very long. You might wait in line for 30 minutes or more out in the heat for just one vendor booth or one line in the main tent. Or you could get lucky and just wait a few minutes.

[Reggieray]

Is this the one that's outside in the park? Super hot temp wise and way way over crowded? A 20 minute wait just to have a ship with sauce slasa? It's nothing great. The one that used to come to Austin up until about 10 years ago was the best. I believe it was put on by chili pepper magazine and held at Palmer event center. Air conditioned and not overly crowded. Also had really good vendors
As well. I think I they where run out of town like
Many other good things started
Setting up shop in Dallas. Not sure if it's held there annually anymore.

[JT-3]

It's a worth a visit and supports a good cause. One of the few remaining free events left IMO. I have been going a long time, even before I moved here. I love hot sauce!

Insider tip: bring your own chips.

[Soviet]

Thanks for the information, everyone! However, why should I bring my own chips? Do they run out sometimes?

[TXEX06]

A 20 minute wait to eat A chip with salsa on it? Crazy! That makes Franklin's lines look like nothing. Atleast you're getting a whole meal.

[jwynne2000]

I've gotten very little enjoyment out of free Austin events like this in the past. Anyone remember the Gypsy Trailer Food Festival a couple of years ago... total disaster.

Your mileage may vary.

[Reggieray]

The gypsies food trailer event is exactly what this reminded me off. Not worth it at all.

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by Soviet

Thanks for the information, everyone! However, why should I bring my own chips? Do they run out sometimes?

They don't run out, but they won't give you much, either. Having your own supply couldn't hurt.

Everything you hear about the lines is true, but it's a case of "It's so crowded no one ever goes anymore". They must be doing something right, or it wouldn't be so popular. After 20+ years, they've stuck with the same formula -- August, free, bring on the people. You will love it or hate it, I suspect.

Reggieray - The other festival was called the Fiery Foods Festival. I think they had it in some other cities too. I agree, it was a nice event too, wish it were still around.

[Reggieray]

Atxcio, yes that was it. It looks like chili pepper magazine the main sponsor might have went out of operation a couple years ago. That show was
Really great.