920 Followers About the event
Event Dates/Times: Friday, September 11, 2026, 5pm -10pm and Saturday, September 12, 2026, 10am - 6pm
Join us for the 20th Annual NC Hot Sauce Contest and Festival, a sizzling celebration that ignites downtown Oxford with flavor, fun, and fiery competition!
With over 25,000 attendees, our two-day event on September 11th and 12th promises an unforgettable experience for all.
Explore the vibrant streets of historic Oxford as they come alive with the finest hot sauces, barbecue sauces, breweries, and wineries from across North Carolina. Interact with friends, merchants, fans, artisans, and vendors while indulging in delicious blends and textures that spice up our beloved city.
Don't miss your chance to be part of this flavorful tradition! Apply now to showcase your products and join the excitement at the NC Hot Sauce Contest and Festival.
Dates
Sep 11, 2026 · 5:00 PM - Sep 12, 2026 · 6:00 PM(GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
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Location
North Carolina, United States
Downtown Oxford, Oxford, North Carolina 27565, United States
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Artists, vendors & exhibitors applications
Interested in applying:
1 active application
Deadline:
Jul 31, 2026
Event Dates/Times: Friday, September 11, 2026, 5pm-10pm and Saturday, September 12, 2026, 10am-6pm
CONTEST JUDGING PROCESS:
- All entries MUST be produced in North Carolina
- All entries MUST have a professionally labeled bottle (ready for retail)
- Each entry MUST be mailed in and submit their sauces, including the category sheet BEFORE July 31, 2026
- No entry will be accepted if "pepper extracts" are used in the ingredients
- The Entry Form should NOT be written on except when checking the correct category (any writing on entry form will lead to disqualification)
*All sauce samplings will be conducted under the strictest standards of using fair, impartial, and blind judging. All judging is done by the Vance-Granville Culinary Team and local Chefs.
SAUCE ENTRY PROCESS:
- Print & fill out the entry form (attached) for EACH bottled sauce, listing the category that sauce is to be judged
- Mail one (1) bottle of each sauce to be judged to the NC Hot Sauce Office, 300 Williamsboro St., Oxford, NC 27565 by July 31, 2026.
- A cash prize of $500 will be given to each category Champion and medals will be awarded to the runner ups in each category
- Champions will receive a jpg "winner" seal in recognition of the sauce as a 2025 NC Sauce Contest Winner
In partnership with
Sponsors
Interested in applying:
1 active application
Deadline:
Aug 07, 2026
Please join us in becoming a sponsor for the 20th Annual NC Hot sauce Contest & Festival. We are truly grateful for any amount you would like to give, as this free event would not be possible for our community without your support!
Please feel free to contact Giovanni Ford at 919-603-1101 or giovanni.ford@oxfordnc.org with any questions regarding partnership opportunities. For sponsorships valued over $5000 please contact Giovanni directly. Thank you!
Meet our Sponsors!
Hosted by City of Oxford
Joined Eventeny in October 2022
10 events
Oxford, North Carolina, United States 
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