NEWBURY PARK — The third annual Old Boney Mountain Hot Summer Night festival will have a virtual twist this year as it takes place Saturday, July 11 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on YouTube and Facebook Live. The festival will be part live, part recorded. Winners of the third annual International Hot Sauce Competition will be announced along with the results of the “People’s Choice World’s Favorite Hot Sauce” “People’s Choice World’s Favorite BBQ Sauce” and “People’s Choice World’s Favorite Label” contests. The festival net proceeds go to benefit Rotary charities, first responders and the Grossman Burn Foundation for its care of burn survivors.
Over 200 hot sauce and BBQ sauce entries were received from around the world. A juried competition will take place just prior to the festival. “Hot sauce judging usually occurs in one evening, but this year we’re spreading the six competitive divisions over six days so judges can taste sauces and still practice social distancing,” says event co-chair Jeff Losey of Old Boney Mountain Hot Sauce Company. Sauce divisions are Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, Fruit Based and BBQ.
The public will have an in-person opportunity to taste the top 15 hot sauces and three BBQ sauces selected by the judges and cast their vote for the “People’s Choice” award. The live event is Sunday, July 5 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Holdren’s Steaks & Seafood in Newbury Park (1714 Newbury Rd.). No reservations are necessary. Social distancing and health protocols will be in effect.
New this year is the option to purchase a “Festival Tasting Box” filled with samples of craft beers, wines, spirits, snacks, hot sauce and coupons from local eateries/breweries/wineries. The cost is $50 (a $100 value). People who purchase a Festival Tasting Box or make a $5 minimum donation can text their vote for the “People Choice Best Hot Sauce Label” and will automatically be entered into a drawing for prizes. Winners will be announced throughout the show.
During the virtual festival, participants will hear from winners of last year’s hot sauce contest who will talk about their recipes and share their hot sauce making secrets. Beer, wine, spirits and hot sauce contributors to the Festival Tasting Box will also participate. “Box purchasers can sample their box items while listening to the contents’ creators,” says Losey. Dr. Peter Grossman will discuss the hospital’s work for first responder burn survivors.
No purchase is necessary to watch the festival broadcast, but registration is required. Those who register will receive an email prior to the event with the festival access link. “We’re looking forward to hot sauce contributors from around the world to be tuning in,” says Losey.
The event is presented by Old Boney Mountain Hot Sauce Company and the Rotary Club of Newbury Park. Farmers Insurance is the premiere event sponsor along with GoBeDo Productions, Storm-Larsen & Co., Event Essentials, Craft Hot Sauce, Wealth Care Alliance, Kari Wilson & Linda Norberg/Aviara Realtors, Into Wisdom Group, Old Boney Mountain Foundation For Kids, First Rate Financial Group, Hyper-Tech Manufacturing & Design, Spitfire and Hill Country Hot Peppers and TastingTheHeat.com
To purchase a Festival Tasting Box, vote for your favorite hot sauce label, enter the prize drawings or register to view the July 11 festival, go to www.oldboneymtnhotsummernight.com
Follow us on YouTube and hear from vendors and hot sauce makers now: https://bit.ly/3hxPLzQ. For more information call 805-701-7248 or email obmhsn@gmail.com