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Eat the Heat: The Columbus Fiery Foods Festival Returns August 26–27, Igniting Taste Buds Like Never Before!

A special $5 general admission ticket is on sale now at columbusfieryfoods.com.

Columbus, Ohio — (June 13, 2023) — MGN, the Columbus based event firm behind many of the areas award-winning festivals, and CD929FM, the region’s largest independent radio station, are pleased to announce the return of the Columbus Fiery Foods Festival on Saturday, August 26 from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. and Sunday, August 27 from Noon–6 p.m. at Genoa Park along the Scioto Mile in downtown Columbus. (This is a slight location change from last year’s event which took place along the Main Street Bridge on the Scioto Mile.) The popular two-day event showcases the fiery side of life with restaurants, hot sauce makers, salsa makers and exhibitors from far and wide.

Festival-goers can expect to satisfy their need for heat by sampling everything from BBQ to salsa to sweet treats with a kick.  Some of the exceptional vendors (as of June 12, 2023) to set palates ablaze include: 

Hot Sauce and Salsa Vendors– Angry Irishman LLC, Black Cap Hot Sauce, Chef Heatley’s Hot Pepper Farm, Double Comfort, Farmer Nate’s Sauce Co., Fartley Farms, Feel The Burn Hot Sauce, Flavor & Fire/Clamlube/Madstone, Gindo’s Spice of Life, Goodwood Brewing and Spirits, H&H 30 Second Salsa/Fiesta Snacks, Harmacy Hot Sauce Co, HELL’S KITCHEN HOT SAUCE, Jalapeno Joe’s, Lil D’s Provisions, Maletta’s Craft Hot Sauce, Mezclado Pepper Sauce, Mule Sauce by Sticker Mule, Ohi:yo Pepper Co., Petreaux’s Gourmet Hot Sauce, Ruthless Reaper Hot Sauce, Sauce Boss Gang, Shore Sauce, The Spice Trade Outpost, Underworld Feast, and Zia Chile Traders

Spicy Food Vendors– American Nut Company, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream of Reynoldsburg, Cate’s Steakhouse Catering, CHICKEN HEADS, Hot Chicken Takeover, Hot Dog Wally’s, Island Fusion, J-POPS, OH! Boba, Snow Sisters, Sweet P’s Handcrafted Ice Pops, The Cheesecake Castle LLC, and YumVillage

Additional Hot Sauce Vendors, Salsa Vendors and Spicy Food Vendors are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Please follow The Columbus Fiery Foods on Facebook @colsfieryfoodsfest or on Instagram @columbusfieryfoodsfest for the latest vendor information and festival updates.

In addition to the fiery foods, the festival features artisans, crafters and entertainment. And no fiery foods festival would be complete without attendees having the opportunity to be part of the action. A variety of contests will be held throughout the weekend including, but not limited to, Hot Pizza Eating, Hot Wing Eating, Hot Pepper Eating and an Amateur Salsa Contest.  Guests interested in participating in the contests can sign up now via the Columbus Fiery Foods website at columbusfieryfoods.com.

Presale general admission for the event is just $5 per person and available online through Eventbrite or the Columbus Fiery Foods website at columbusfieryfoods.com. Children 12 years of age and younger are free with a paid adult admission. Tickets are good for single day admission. Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the presale as admission is expected to increase closer to the event.  As in years past, the festival is partnering with the children’s charity CD102.5 for the Kids and a portion of the proceeds will be donated.

“The Fiery Foods Festival has become an incredible annual celebration that brings together chileheads from all over the United States. As we mark our 3rd year, we are thrilled to present an unforgettable experience filled with scorching flavors, culinary innovation, and the electric energy that only fiery foods can ignite,” said Mike Gallicchio, event co-founder and president of MGN. 

Restaurant, vendor, and sponsor applications are now being accepted for the event. Interested applicants should visit columbusfieryfoods.com.

Stay connected with the Fiery Foods Festival!

Website: columbusfieryfoods.com 

Facebook: @colsfieryfoodsfest

Instagram: @columbusfieryfoodsfest

About Genoa Park

Located at 303 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215, Genoa park is a 20.029-acre regional park in the Downtown community. The Scioto Trail runs through Genoa Park and provides access to the Scioto Mile.

About CD102.5 for the Kids 

CD102.5 for the Kids was designed as an avenue for WWCD 102.5 (now CD929FM) to better utilize the power of the airwaves. Proceeds raised go to accredited organizations that provide  support and assistance to children and families in the Central Ohio area. CD929FM is locally owned and operated with a strong philanthropic philosophy of giving back to the community with the help of listeners, staff and clients. 

For more information about CD929 and CD102.5 for the Kids, please visit cd929fm.com.

About Mike Gallicchio and MGN! 

MGN, located in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the area’s premier event firms. Led by event veteran Mike Gallicchio, the firm is responsible for some of the most notable events in the area including The Columbus Food Truck Festival, Columbus Summer Wine Festival, Whitehall Food Truck Festival and a host of other community-based festivals. 

For more information about Mike and MGN, please visit mikegallicchionow.com.