The annual event returned to the High Street and Soisy Gardens this afternoon, Saturday 19th September, bringing more than 30 chilli producers and artisan traders, food stalls, live music and entertainment to the town.
This year’s festival took on a Fire Horse theme to mark the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Fire Horse, with a Chinese Lion Dance by Dragon of the South opening the entertainment.
The festival, organised by Westbury Town Council, also featured a colourful procession through the streets, led by Jamma De Samba, and concluded with a chilli-eating contest.
Visitors could also browse stalls selling hot sauces, spicy jams, chilli-infused treats, seasonings and other products, alongside food vendors serving Chinese and Tibetan street food and other international dishes.
Mayor Carole King said stallholders had praised the atmosphere and turnout.
“We’ve been round to see almost all of the stallsholders, except those who were really busy, and the compliments are just pouring out of them, how much they love to come to Westbury,” she said.
“There are quite a few, a good half a dozen, who are here for the first time, some have heard it from other people, they like Westbury, they like the atmosphere, they like the fact is is all in a smallish space, and the crowds, they just love it.
“There are huge numbers of people here, even though we started to have some rain, people still came. They just came with their coats and umbrellas. It’s fantastic.”
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