Whether you’re into peppers, hot sauce, food trucks or even whips, the 21st annual I Like It Hot! Festival has something for you.
The state’s largest spicy food festival is happening from Sept. 11-12 at the Largo Event Center (6340 126th Ave. N), and it’s bringing competitions and food trucks galore along with it.
Try your hand at the Spicy Lolly Lick-A-Thon or the pepper eating contest if your stomach can handle the heat.
If you’re not into injuring yourself for the entertainment of others, there will also be salsa, BBQ and hot sauce competitions.
If you just want to be a spectator throughout the event, you can catch demos from the Tampa Bay Whip Enthusiasts and even get whip cracking lessons (Don’t get too excited, you’re just whipping the ground). Vendors and live music will be on deck all weekend, so bring cash to take all the spicy festivities home with you.
Admission is free for all ages and so is parking. The festival runs Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
For more information, you can visit the ilikeithotfestival.com.
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