Blue Valley Recreation News

Tue, Aug 24, 2010 - [Special Events]

It's the 3rd Annual "Nothin's Too Hot For Me" Hot Pepper Eatin' Contest this Saturday at the Blue Valley Rec's Farmers Market. Join us for entertainment, fun and more peppers than you can imagine. Blue Valley Rec Commission chair Lou Wade will headline the contestants.

 
It may be hot outside, but that won’t deter contestants from pitting themselves against the hottest chili peppers around in the 3rd Annual “Nothin’s Too Hot For Me” Hot Pepper Eatin’ Contest on Saturday, Aug. 28. The event, held in conjunction with Blue Valley Recreation Farmers Market, is in the east parking lot of the Blue Valley Rec Complex at 137th and Antioch and will begin at 1 p.m. The contest has free admission to the public and is sponsored by Cobinsteinz Farm, Capital Business Service, Blue Valley Recreation and local merchants.
 
“It’s not a contest of how many peppers can be consumed the fastest,” said organizer John Cobine of Cobinsteinz Gourmet Pickles and Produce Farm. “It’s a competition of stamina and willpower to see who can make it to the hottest pepper…and keep it down.”
 
Cobine grows and selects all the peppers for the contest at his farm, Cobinsteinz Farm, in Bucyrus, Kan. The peppers aren’t chosen until the day before the event. Cobine tastes each pepper to make sure it is up to contest standards.
 
“We want to make sure we have the very best and hottest peppers available,” commented Cobine. “So, we wait until the last minute to make sure the peppers are ripe.”
 
The contest is open to adults ages 18 and up. Many contestants are repeat competitors from previous years. The top three finishers all receive invitations and others are chose from a waiting list. Braving the stage this year is Lou Wade, chair of the Blue Valley Recreation Commission. It’s his first, and probably last, eating competition.
 
“I may regret my decision after the event, but it looks like a lot of fun,” said Wade. “I just hope I make it past the first pepper.”
 
And just in case you are wondering…the hottest pepper in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is the Bhut Jolokia. No word on if it will be on the menu on Saturday.
 
Competitor check-in starts at 11 a.m. and the peppers will be on display for public viewing. Kids 12 and under will receive a free goody bag and can sample some of the sweeter peppers grown by Cobine. The actual competition begins at 1 p.m. with all contestants positioned on a stage for easy viewing. On-site parking is available at the Recreation Complex.
 
For more information, call Jackie Buser at 913.685.6012.
 

 
 
Hours of Operation

Activity Center
6545 W. 151st Street
Monday - Friday, 6am-9pm
Saturday, 7am-7pm
Sunday, noon-7pm
913.685.6000
For weather cancellations
call 913.685.6099

Recreation Complex Office (Sports)
9701 W. 137th Street
Monday - Friday, 8am-4:30pm
913.685.6030
For weather cancellations
call 913.685.6099
 

Administrative Offices
6545 W. 151st Street
Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm
913.685.6000

Vision Statement:

"Enriching Lives, Strengthening a Spirit of Community"

Mission Statement:

"We will champion community and personal growth through dynamic lifelong recreation experiences."