Excitement is growing as Historic Downtown Oxford gears up for the 12th Annual NC Hot Sauce Contest this Saturday, September 8, 2018. Festivities will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and include the opportunity to sample and purchase some of NC’s finest hot sauces and barbeque sauces. Visitors will also have the chance to enter the NC Pepper Eating Contest sponsored by Bailey Farms of Oxford.
The contest, which began as a smaller-scale affair inside the former Stovall’s Gifts, has become a cornerstone event for both the City of Oxford and for Granville County Tourism.
“It’s a celebration of all things local with products made right here in North Carolina,” said Angela Allen, director of Granville County Tourism Development Authority. Granville County Tourism is a proud sponsor of the hot sauce contest.
To enter the contest, participants must have a professionally labeled and bottled sauce ready for retail and all products must be made in North Carolina. Products privately labeled for NC companies or any sauces that contain pepper extract will not be accepted.
A $500 cash prize will be awarded to the winner of each of the nine categories – three for hot sauce and six for barbecue. All judging will be done by the Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham.
Hot sauce categories include the Meet the Heat award for the hottest sauce, NC’s Most Unique Hot Sauce and NC Critics Choice Hot Sauce. BBQ sauce categories include the best NC Mustard Based Sauce, NC Vinegar Style Sauce, NC Tomato Style Sauce, NC Mild BBQ Sauce, NC Hot BBQ Sauce and Most Unique NC Sauce.
Sauce not your thing? There will be plenty to keep you and the family entertained including local shops, restaurants, breweries, wineries and activities for children.
Additionally, the Granville County Museum and their September Sensations Bazaar at the Harris Exhibit Hall will also be open for viewing.
Officials are expecting a large crowd this year as attendance at the 2017 event was reported to top 18,000. This influx of visitors proves to be a boon to the local economy each year as gasoline, hotel rooms, food and other local goods and services are purchased.
Mark your calendar for this Saturday, bring your appetite and prepare your taste buds for a treat.
