Omega's Pepper Festival set for Sept. 10

By Latasha Everson/The Tifton Gazette CNHI

OMEGA — Before kicking off the seventh annual Pepper Festival, the City of Omega will be introducing Christian Saslo, a magician and illusionist from Atlanta, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9 at Ponder Park.

According to Nickey Lara, coordinator of Pepper Festival Kids, Saslo has been participating in magic since he was 12 years old. He performs at various events and does activities for festivals, schools, churches and many more. Saslo will also be performing at the Pepper Festival. Saslo’s performances at the magic show and festival will be free to the public.

The Pepper Festival will begin at 5:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10 in Omega with the National Anthem kicking off the event. Community choirs of nearby churches and local church groups will be singing the night away. These groups include Southern Testimony, Faithful Servants and Changing Times. The Revelators will be closing the event for the night.

The parade will begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11.

“The parade has grown this year,” Lara said. “They throw all kinds of goodies. It’s a nice event for kids to come to.”

Throughout the day there will be several activities for kids and adults to enjoy and participate in. Salso will have a booth set up at the festival and will be performing on stage.

Lara said many performances are lined up Saturday for the dance concert starting with “OSR” Country and Southern Rock performing from 2 until 4 p.m.; Solso, 4 until 5 p.m.; Coby Garret, 7 until 7:30 p.m. and the South Train band, 8 until 12 a.m.

Budgie jumping, a rock wall, inflatables, a petting zoo and ponies are just some of the fun activities available for kids to enjoy.

“The petting zoo will be coming out of Donalsonville. A man will be bringing in rabbits to sell,” Lara said. “There’s going to be musical entertainment, arts and craft, a variety of food and an old 1961 ice cream van from Albany.”

Lara also said a male dwarf pony named Buttercup will be at the event. He’s only 23 inches tall and weighs 80 pounds.

“They’re very rare and there are only 300 of them in the U.S.,” Lara said. “Buttercup has made news from Tennessee to Florida.”

Furthermore, the traditional Pepper Recipe Taste-off will begin that Saturday with many cooks looking to introduce their best recipe with pepper being incorporated somehow. This is a requirement for all contestants. Cooks may still apply for free. An application can be picked up at City Hall in Omega and must be submitted by Friday morning.

The Male Beauty Pageant is expected to have many viewers looking for a good laugh.

“It’s really funny and people look forward to it.” Lara stated.

For more information, contact the director of the Pepper Festival, Joy Lott, at 528-3175 or for any float questions, contact Patricia Dunn at 528-4942. There is still time to register for a float. It’s free and the first-place winner will receive a $150 prize. A pepper has to be incorporated somewhere on the float.

To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.

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