HOT NEWS: Joliet's Hot Sauce Festival Is This Weekend

JOLIET — If there's fun, it's in downtown Joliet, and an event this weekend is a hot one. So hot that the Joliet Fire Department ought to be on standby.

In the large parking near the demolished old Will County Courthouse, at 9 E. Jefferson St., will be the 5th Annual Illinois Hot Sauce Expo. It's on both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday is 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and bands start at 5:30 p.m,. while Sunday goes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"We will feature the BEST hot sauce companies from around the United States and Canada," the promoters told Joliet Patch. "You will get to enjoy FREE Hot Sauce Samples (purchase what you want), Action Packed Wrestling, The Stage of DOOM (Eating Challenges), Specialty Cocktails, Craft Beers, Amazing Food Vendors & So Much More."

There are several eating challenges:

• Slaytganic Buritto Challenge
• Spicy Tacos From Hell
• Pizza of DOOM
• Guinness Book of Records Reaper Pepper Eating Challenge. $1000 is up for grabs. Hottest Pepper In The World.

Children ages 10 and under can attend free with an adult.

The live music lineup on Saturday features three tribute bands: Basketcase (Green Day), Infinite Sadness (Smashing Pumpkins) and Smells Like Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters)

The event will have tacos, pizza, burgers BBQ & other food options.

Guests can enjoy the Hot Sauce Expo with an all-access backstage pass into an exclusive VIP area.
VIPS can enjoy an open bar with cocktails, craft beer and spirit tastings, a limited edition expo poster, private bathrooms, a bottle of hot sauce and VIP gift bags stuffed with sponsorship goodies.

How can you buy tickets?

Here's the ticket link. Find more info at www.ilhotsauceexpo.com