The heat is on Halloween weekend with the launch of the 1st annual “Salem’s Wicked Hot Spice Eating Challenge.” The Challenge will take place Friday night October 30th at 6pm on Artist’s Row in Salem, MA. Featuring four levels of heat, from mild to extreme, the event welcomes participants who want to test their taste buds, as well as onlookers to cheer folks on. The event will also embrace a charitable component as Salem Fire Department Local 172 who will be on hand selling tee shirts to raise money for local fire station amenities.
“We are thrilled to stage this free community event” says Karen Scalia of Salem Food Tours, who are spearheading the Challenge. “It’s a fun and exciting way to start Halloween weekend in Salem, a fantastic way to celebrate Artist’s Row, and a great opportunity to support our local fire department.”
Sales of tee shirts from Local 172 support fire station amenities. These comfort features are typically paid for out of pocket by fire personnel, and help make the station a home during their 24/7 stay.
The chilis are being supplied by Salem Spice, which will have them also for sale during the event. The tastings will be four types of mashed chili peppers with four levels of hot fun, from mild, medium, hot, and SUPER HOT. A few steps down on Artist’s Row, The Lobster Shanty will be serving up some delicious spicy hot specials in addition to their regular menu to get folks taste buds roaring.
Says Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll “We welcome locals and visitors to come on down and show their taste bud bravery – or just come on down to cheer the brave folks on!”