SM Kiwanis Pepper Festival this weekend

St. Martinville – Come experience a spicy explosion at the St. Martinville Kiwanis Pepper Festival Sept 18-19 at the St. Martinville Festival grounds near Bayou Teche.
Entrance to the Festival for each day is $5 for adults and $1 for children. Pets and ice chests will not be allowed on the Festival grounds. Parking is $3. Gates open at 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18.
The Pepper Festival has everything you could want in a festival – lots of music and dancing, food, beverages, arts and crafts, a cook-off and rides.
On Saturday, the Pepper 5K run starts at 8 a.m. and includes a 1-mile fun run. You can still pre-register or register the day of for the Senior ($20/$25) or Junior (under 19 - $10/$15) Division, which includes fee, t-shirt, food and drink. Race starts on festival grounds on East Madison Street in front of the Talley building.
Try your hand at the Backyard BBQ Cook-Off where the judges are looking for the Best BBQ in Louisiana. Teams include a chief cook and 1-9 assistants. Categories include chicken, pork ribs, beef brisket and wild game. Entry fee is $35, and judging will take place Saturday afternoon, Sept 19.
All of your favorite musical groups are back again this year, and each group has members who hail from St. Martinville! Cox Cable is sponsoring a tent, so you can follow the LSU vs. Auburn game and not miss out on the Festival. Carnival rides will be available for children of all ages.
Schedule of events:
Friday, Sept. 18
•4 p.m. - Festival Grounds open with carnival rides, food and craft booths.
•4:30-5:45 p.m. - Ethan Airhart.
•6 p.m. - Opening ceremonies.
•6:30-8:30 p.m. - Nik-L-Beer.
•9-11 p.m. - L’il Nate & the Zydeco Big Timers.
•Midnight - Festival Grounds close.
Saturday, Sept.19
•7 a.m. - Registration for Pepper Festival 5K / 1 Mile Fun Run and Pepper Sauce Backyard Barbecue Cookoff.
•8 a.m. - 5K / 1 Mile Fun Run and Cookoff begin
•10 a.m. - Festival Grounds open with carnival rides, food and craft booths, and Matt Castille
•12:30 p.m. - Pepper Sauce Backyard Barbecue Cookoff judging begins.
•3:30 p.m. - Untouchable Twirler Academy performance.
•4-6 p.m. - Nathan Williams & the Zydeco Cha-Chas.
•6 p.m. - St. Martin Academy of Fine Arts performance.
•6:30-8:30 p.m. - Side Show.
•8:30 p.m. - Pepper Eating Contest.
•9-11 p.m. - Krossfyre.
•Midnight - Festival Grounds close
For more information, check out our Facebook page, St. Martinville Kiwanis Club Annual Pepper Festival.