Previous Issues of the Hill Country Sun

   

Wildseed Farms' owner John Thomas welcomes guests to the second
annual Gourmet Chili Pepper and Salsa Festival.
Photos courtesy Wildseed Farms.

Spice up your summer at Wildseed Farms' Gourmet Chili Pepper and Salsa Festival near Fredericksburg July 25-27

By Kelly Carper Polden

Need a little spice in your summer? Head to Wildseed Farms for the second annual Gourmet Chili Pepper and Salsa Festival July 25-27, just seven miles east of Fredericksburg on Highway 290.

The festival kicks off at 3 pm Friday with a wide range of activities, including food tastings from more than 20 specialty food vendors, cooking and gardening demonstrations, lectures, hot air balloons and live entertainment.

The Almost Patsy Cline Band performs Friday evening from 5 pm to 9 pm, and guests can enjoy music from Johnny Dee & the Rocket 88s Saturday from 7 pm to 9 pm.

“We very excited about our musical entertainment this year. We have a covered pavilion area right in the middle of the festival site where guests can get up and dance or just relax with a cool beverage and enjoy the music,” says Kerry Fisher, spokesperson for Wildseed Farms.

“Saturday evening, we will also host a hot air balloon ‘glow’ with six balloons firing up and hovering over Wildseed Farm in a beautiful display. Early the next morning we’ll have a hot air balloon launch to kick off the last day of festivities. Chuck wagon breakfast tacos will be available for those guests who want to get up early for the balloon launch. Gates will open at 6 am for the balloon launch,” says Kerry.

The festival opens at 10 am both Saturday and Sunday. Lectures and demonstrations will be offered throughout the festival by local chefs, including Terry Thompson Anderson and Ross Burtwell.

Horticultural experts will also be on hand, including Dr. Jerry Parsons of San Antonio, who has had several pepper varieties named for him.

David Rodriguez, Bexar County extension agent and a garden expert with WOAI radio station in San Antonio, and John Thomas, owner of Wildseed Farms, will also speak about topics including perennials and wildflowers.

“This festival is a family-oriented event,” Kerry says. “Everyone will be pleased with the variety of vendors. We have twice as many as last year. Guests will get to sample everything from peppers to salsa to chuck wagon biscuits and Wildseed Farms jellies. They will also enjoy the wonderful music and activities, with something for everyone.”

Last year more than 2,000 people attended the event. “Guests had a wonderful time at last year’s festival,” explains Kerry. “This year we have many activities planned for the entire family to enjoy. Once again, guests will have the opportunity to pick their own peppers from the field or select from our Farmers’ Market produce bins.”

Wildseed Farms is a family business, owned and operated by John and Marilyn Thomas since 1983. The business originated in John’s hometown of Eagle Lake, Texas, and was expanded and relocated to the Hill Country in 1995.
Open year-round, Wildseed Farms now includes wildflower fields, a peaceful Brew-Bonnet Biergarten, and a large country store with gifts and specialty foods, wildflower seeds and much more.

Festival admission includes access to all public areas of Wildseed Farms.

Wildseed Farms also operates a nursery offering native plants, ornamentals, and a variety of pottery from around the world.

Nearby, the trial garden area known as The Meadows features acres of beautiful flowers and plants, as well as the Butterfly Haus—a lively, interactive, 3,000-square foot butterfly exhibit.