Omega Pepper Festival celebrates 20th this weekend

OMEGA, Ga. – According to our news partners at Tifton Grapevine Newsletter…

This weekend will be be a hot time in ol’ Omega as the annual Pepper Festival gets underway at 6 p.m. today and continues through Saturday night in Ponder Park.

Source: Tifton Grapevine

This year is the 20th anniversary festival and organizers say they expect it to be bigger and better than ever. Following tonight’s opening ceremony, the Headline Band takes the stage, followed by the Los Compas De Nueve Leon Band until 10 p.m.

Bleachers will be set up and, of course, lawn chairs are always welcome. This year there will also be a dance floor in front of the stage.

Saturday is the festival’s big day with all kinds of food, crafts, and entertainment available. An enlarged Kid’s Zone will have fun activities for children.

The day begins with the always-fun Omega Pepper Parade at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Holy Smoke Band at about 11:45 a.m. Festival organizer LaDonna Stripling is part of the band and will be singing.

At noon, the Pepper Jelly Contest gets underway with amateur jelly-makers competing.

Singer Reid Soria performs at 1:30 p.m., followed by the duo 2RiverStation at 3 p.m., the Unknown Allstars band at 5:30 p.m., and headliner Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers from 8-10 p.m. Tifton native Dove calls their music “Southern Fried Blues Rock.” The band has been gaining popularity with its performances throughout the South in recent years.

Organizers remind attendees that the festival is a a family-friendly event and alcohol is prohibited.

“Make your plans to spend Friday evening and all day Saturday with us at Ponder Park in Omega,” said LaDonna Stripling. “You will not be disappointed and will have a great time!”

By: FRANK SAYLES, Tifton Grapevine

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