Pepperfest Debuts in Damascus With a Burst of Flavor

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From sweet and mild to spicy and hot, the first annual Pepperfest kicks off in Damascus this Saturday, Oct. 4 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Irene Soloway and Anna B. Ott are pepper growers and Pepperfest planning committee members, who sat down with Radio Catskill to share more about the event. They said the new festival is an opportunity to celebrate the region’s love and diversity of peppers in the Upper Delaware River Valley.

In Soloway’s garden, there are bright orange marigolds, sunflowers, and towards the back, lots of peppers – pepper joe’s, naga vipers, jaloro jalapeños, and more.

Ott said part of the thrill is watching her peppers evolve: “They change their taste and heat level when they change their color,” she said.

Soloway added that the real joy is growing pepper varieties from around the world.

“This is Naga Viper, and you could tell by the name that it’s going to bite you on the tongue,” said Soloway about the pepper believed to be a three-way hybrid between the Bhut jolokia, Trinidad scorpion, and Naga Morich peppers.

Part of the festivities will include a ‘Flight of Peppers’ guided tasting, a community potluck, and crafts fair. Soloway and Ott say they’ve designed the tasting to be accessible for everyone.

“It’s not about how hot can you go and how much can you suffer. It’s really an exploration,” said Soloway. “We want people to actually take the time to really experience each [pepper].”

Pepperfest will be at the Damascus Township Park Pavilion on Oct. 4 and will be a donation-based event. All proceeds from the event will go to the Damascus Township Volunteer Ambulance Corp, Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, and Damascus Manor Community Center.

Image: Members of the Pepperfest planning committee (L-R): Alex Tucciarone, Andrea Anderson, Paula Mayer, Irene Soloway, and Anna B. Ott in Tyler Hill, Pennsylvania. (Photo Credit: Kimberly Izar)