Household enjoyable, meals contests and distributors in Pasco and Benton City

Soak up the rest of summer with two events happening this weekend.

Both Pasco’s Fiery Foods Festival and Benton City Daze are offering family fun, yummy food and more on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Fiery Foods Festival

At Peanuts Park, Pasco’s Fiery Foods Festival is taking place from noon – 6 p.m.

This afternoon event will alternate between fiery food competitions and flashy dance routines. The grand finale is a performance from Grupo El Tiempo.

Think you can handle the heat? Sign up for one of the eating contests. It is free to register and open to all ages.

Contest options include the pepper eating challenge, Cluckin’ Hot Wing Challenge and the taquito speed eating contest.

Ron Campton, Recreation Specialist for the City of Pasco parks and Recreation Department, emcees the pepper contest.

“I get a good kick out of doing that and just seeing everybody compete,” Campton said. “We’ve had some pretty intense competitors the last couple of years and we (have) a two-time defending champ. He’s got a steel stomach, and he just keeps coming back for more every year.”

If you aren’t the competitive type, the festival will also have over 50 vendors serving both spicy and nonspicy bites.

Peanuts Park is at 426 W. Lewis St. in Pasco.

Benton City Daze

A tradition in the community since 1983, Benton City Daze promises “big fun,” from 9 a.m.-midnight. Attendees can expect the ever adorable Little Miss Benton City Pageant at 12:30 p.m. as well as a watermelon eating contest to follow. Competitive spirits can register day of for free.

Other vendors at the festival include Alli Kat Pancake Poppers, who make deliciously topped miniature pancakes, Diggity’s, a hot dog vendor recently voted Tri-Cities Best Food Truck, and more.

“Shop local, support these vendors,” said Shara Morgan, chamber president and event coordinator. “Businesses are what make towns like our thrive. You gotta keep them around. Come out for the parade, stay for the vendors, and then come dance.”

The whole event is family friendly and takes place throughout downtown Benton City.