Bristol PepperFest

05/28/2026

100-Days...

05/05/2026

12/26/2025

A Final Toast to the Tree & a Look Ahead

We hope you enjoyed this walk down memory lane through our PepperFest Christmas Tree—each branch packed with heat, heart, and unforgettable moments. Even though Christmas Day has come and gone, this is still the season for reflection, gratitude, and cherishing time with our PepperFest family. Thank you for reliving these memories with us.

Before we wrap the ribbon on this year, we want to give one massively huge shoutout to the people who make PepperFest possible. Our planners and behind-the-scenes crew—your dedication, hustle, and love for this wild, fiery festival keep the flame burning bright year after year. And if you think they’ve taken a break… think again. The PepperFest brain-trust has already met and is hard at work planning PepperFest ’26—and trust us, it’s shaping up to be our biggest and boldest yet.

As we look toward 2026, we’re fired up about what’s coming—new ideas, new spice, and an event that continues to grow in size, reputation, and sheer delicious heat. Stay tuned—lots more announcements are on the way.

From all of us in PepperFest Nation, we hope you had a smokin’ hot Christmas and wish you a safe, prosperous, and flavor-packed New Year.

See you at PepperFest ’26 (and maybe on next year’s tree)!

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas PepperFest Nation! Saved our “Big Event” post for a most special day.

Some familiar faces. Some bold new challengers. All stepping into the fire.

We celebrate the region’s premier extreme pepper eating contest, where reputations are tested and limits are shattered.

PepperFest continues to raise the bar by serving up some of the hottest peppers in the world, pushing competitors far beyond comfort and straight into legend-making territory.

A huge thanks to our incredible extreme pepper growers—Only Burns Twice Peppers, Harmony Springs Pepper Farm, and A Different Chick Farm—for supplying the brutal lineup that fuels this contest.

This trilogy of pain ensures one thing remains true: No champion is crowned without surviving a noble challenge.

12/24/2025

Our premier speed-eating showdown takes center stage on the PepperFest Christmas tree—the Delta Blues “BLAZIN’ BLUES” Hot Wing Showdown!

This crowd favorite delivers pure heat, flying bones, and bragging rights on the line as competitors battle the clock and the burn.

Reigning champ “King Richard” Chastain, once again proved his dominance by locking down an incredible 3-peat victory in the 2025 Wing Eating Contest. All of our contestants left with a free lunch, and a warm feeling inside.

A massive thank-you to Travis Penn and the entire Delta Blues BBQ team for sponsoring our premier wing-eating contest. Travis has been an outstanding partner with PepperFest, helping keep this fiery tradition alive while serving up the biggest, hottest wings around. We’re incredibly grateful for your continued support and dedication to the heat!

12/23/2025

Our vendors are the heart of the PepperFest Family. They’re the growers, makers, and culinary creatives who turn peppers into passion—bringing bold flavors, fearless heat, and artisan craftsmanship that make PepperFest more than an event… they make it a culinary experience. Every bottle poured, dish served, and pepper grown adds another layer to what makes PepperFest uniquely (and unapologetically) spicy.

This season, our Christmas tree highlights just a sampling of the incredible vendors who help bring that heat. One ornament celebrates Noah Pinkerton of Scoville Ridge Farms. 2025 marked Scoville Ridge’s first year at PepperFest—and Noah sold out. Not bad for an inaugural year. With a clear passion for peppers and a sharp entrepreneurial spirit, Noah is well on his way to becoming a standout pepper-growing force.

Hanging alongside Noah is Helen Okpokowuruk, the creator of Royal Red Stew. Helen has been serving her African comfort stew since our very first PepperFest, and over the years her business has grown tremendously—earning a loyal following and expanding her reach well beyond the festival. She’s proof that flavor, consistency, and heart go a long way.

We can’t talk about Bristol and spicy foods without mentioning Matt Shy of Bristol Gardens and Grill—a dual-threat pepper grower and culinary expert who consistently turns out some of the best smoked meats in the region, with just the right touch of heat.

To all of our vendors: we wish you a prosperous and pepper-packed New Year as you continue crafting some of the finest bold, flavorful, and beautifully spicy artisan products around. PepperFest wouldn’t be PepperFest without you

12/21/2025

One of the things we are most proud of at PepperFest is our strong partnerships with other non-profits. When organizations come together with a shared mission, there’s real synergy—helping one another meet needs, serve the community, and make a bigger impact than any of us could alone.

Even more inspiring? Most of the people behind these organizations are volunteers. They give their time, energy, and hearts simply because they believe in the mission. That kind of passion can’t be bought—and it shows.

Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 39 is a shining example of that spirit. Joey Smith, who has been a community outreach leader within that organization, has been part of PepperFest since our very first event.

DAV hosts our Corn Hole Tournament each year and also partners with other non-profits to provide children’s activities—creating fun, connection, and memories for families.

And their giving doesn’t stop when PepperFest ends. DAV recently distributed 80 Christmas dinners, and once again, Joey Smith was instrumental in organizing a local toy drive at Bristol Skateway, making sure even more children experienced the joy of Christmas.
DAV doesn’t just celebrate the season of giving—they live it, 365 days a year.

We also want to recognize the Northeast Tennessee Master Gardeners. They have attended every single PepperFest, and in fact, they were the original spark that brought PepperFest into existence. Their support, knowledge, and presence have helped shape who we are from the very beginning—and for that, we are forever grateful.

This Christmas tree tells a story of service, partnership, passion, and heart. It’s a reminder that when passionate people come together, incredible things happen—not just during the holidays, but all year long.

12/17/2025

Before we get too far into the story of this year’s PepperFest Christmas Tree, we need to shine a spotlight on one of the unsung heroes of PepperFest—the man behind the lens.

Matt “Hitman” Keller of Hitman Photography has an incredible talent for capturing the true spirit of PepperFest. Through his eye and impeccable timing, he preserves the moments, the people, and the energy that define our event. His work even lives on beyond the festival itself, inspiring the custom PepperFest ornaments that proudly adorn our tree and represent the incredible PepperFest Nation.

One of Matt’s most striking PepperFest talents is his creative fire photography. Matt quite literally brings the heat—capturing bold images with real flame and chiles that give PepperFest ambassadors a one-of-a-kind photo, capturing the fire and flavor of their PepperFest experience.

With encouragement from his canine assistant, Aegis, Matt captures the PepperFest Pack whenever possible. Our pup ornament hangs low so four-legged fans can check out their pack’s photos during strolls through the Christmas Tree Village at the Downtown Center.

Sending some Christmas love to one of the key players who helps make PepperFest unforgettable. Thank you, Matt, for capturing the fire, the flavor, and the people of PepperFest Nation.

12/15/2025

Our PepperFest Christmas Tree wouldn’t be complete without a little rhythm, a little soul, and a whole lot of heart. The Soulamanders have spiced up more PepperFest stages than we can count, and now they’re rocking our Christmas Tree! These ornaments are our way of saying thank you for being part of our PepperFest family and helping make every festival feel a little more magical (and a lot more groovy).

12/11/2025

The PepperFest Christmas Tree has made her grand entrance into the Believe in Bristol Christmas Village Contest—and she’s serving holiday heat.

While we would never tell you to how to vote…if you’re downtown and catch that QR code in the wild (photo attached!), or if your fingers wander to this online link (https://www.believeinbristol.org/christmas), and a certain vote slips out? Total coincidence. Christmas magic. Could happen to anyone.

Huge shout-out to the staff at Believe In Bristol for their never-ending support in bringing year-round fun, flavor, and festive energy to Historic Downtown Bristol! We love this community!