Pepper Fest 2023 Highlights
/Thank You!
A heartfelt THANK YOU to the individuals, participants, attendees, volunteers, vendors, and sponsors for your generous support of Pepper Fest 2023!
Scroll to see the highlights and the competition winners from all of the 2023 Pepper Fest events.
Food Prep
It takes many hands to get all of the peppers cut, meatballs rolled and peppers stuffed for Pepper Fest weekend! We hope you enjoyed the homemade Italian food!
2nd Annual Yard Decorating Contest
Thank you to those who showed us their Pepper Fest Pride!
Congratulations 2023 Yard Decorating Contest Winner, Laura Haslup!
2023 Pepper Fest Medallion Hunt - sponsored by Exit 1 Fireworks
Congratulations Steven Sanftner, the 2023 Pepper Fest Medallion Hunt Winner!
The 2023 Medallion was located in Deer Park, a Village of North Hudson Park. It was hidden inside an old beehive.
Beer Garden - sponsored by Tire Pro’s & Wheel Experts
Beer & Wine Tasting Competition - sponsored by Village Liquor
Beer Competition Winners:
People’s Choice: Oliphant Brewing
Judge’s Choice: Spiral Brewery
Wine Competition Winners:
Red Wine People’s Choice: Fowler Wine
Red Wine Judge’s Choice: Fowler Wine
White Wine People’s Choice: Fowler Wine
White Wine Judge’s Choice: River Bend Winery & Distillery
Bingo & Purse Bingo - sponsored by First State Bank and Trust
Friday Night Band: Gen X Jukebox - sponsored by MidWestOne Bank
2023 Pepper Fest Grand Parade
Grand Marshal: Dorothy (Richie) Jensen
As she celebrates her 90th birthday, we honored Dorothy (Richie) Jensen as this year’s Pepper Fest Grand Marshal. Dorothy, along with her father Felix Richie, was part of the first Pepper Fest in 1954. She was the attendant to Pepper Fest Queen Candidate Judy (Cunningham) O’Connors and helped track the ticket sales of Queen Candidate Frieda (Lamberta) Fleischhacker.
Felix Richie was one of the original railroad boys. He was also a member of the 1954 Pepper Eating Contest Champions composed of Felix, Sam Ricci, Pat Richie, Joe Dabruzzi, and Albert Dabruzzi.
We honored the historical legacy Dorothy, and the entire Richie family has brought to Pepper Fest and the Village of North Hudson.
Good Neighbors: Katie Ecker & Derek Rasmussen
Katie and Derek have lived in North Hudson for several years. They have spent many years volunteering within the North Hudson Community and have been long-time members of the Pepper Fest Facilities Committee, which seems up and tears down the festival. Additionally, they volunteer each Pepper Fest to bartend and help with the parade.
These two are the type of people that are always there, doing the work that is needed and never asking for anything in return. Our festival would not be successful if we didn’t have volunteers like Katie and Derek!
Parade Awards:
King Award: Baldwin Royalty
Queen Award: St. Louis Park Particular Ambassadors
Pepper Award: Cambridge Ambassadors
Inflatables, Caricatures, Tattoos, Henna, & the Kid’s Market
Dunk Tank - sponsored by CBD Hudson
Eating Contests - sponsored by Village Inn Bar & Grill
Royalty Spaghetti Eating Champs: St. Paul Winter Carnival Team 1 with a Team Time of 3:36
Championship Spaghetti Eating Champs: 2022 Royal Family with a Team Time of 9:24
Championship Hot Pepper Eating Champs: Pepper Kings with a Team Time of 2:28
New this year, the Kings Pepper Eating Challenge. Eat 1/3 lb hot peppers. Beat the King’s time and win a t-shirt!
Bean Bag Tournament - sponsored by Classic Construction & Consulting
First Place: Lindsay & Tom Kundinger
Second Place: Dave & Cheryl
GameTruck - sponsored by Renewal by Andersen
Saturday Night Band: Triple Rock - sponsored by Hudson Ford
Foot Races -
Sponsored by Arrow Building Center, Carousel Pole Fitness, Compass Realty Group, Derrick Companies, Guy’s Place, Leverty Financial Group, Onsite Apparel, and WESTconsin Credit Union.
5K Top Male: Joseph Rudquist with a time of 19:13:38
5K Top Female: Justine Barnard with a time of 24:17:74
10K Top Male: Thomas Datwyler with a time of 39:30:64
10K Top Female: Lauren Rudquist with a time of 47:57:71
Pancake Breakfast - sponsored by Royal Credit Union
The Pancake Breakfast is free will donation with proceeds benefitting the Hudson Area Senior Citizens Center.
Pepper Fest Market (a Craft & Vendor Show)
Kids Mini Medallion Hunt - sponsored by Royal Credit Union
Kids Tractor Pull - sponsored by Hiawatha National Bank
Cooking Competition
“The Average Joes Against the Pros” was the theme of this year’s Cooking Competition. Pro Anthony Gilbert took the top honors as the 2023 Pepper Fest Top Chef.
Beer Garden Entertainment - sponsored by Barkers Bar & Grill, San Pedro Cafe, & Pedro’s del Este
2023 Pepper Fest VIP
Jessie Prissel was the 2023 Pepper Fest VIP! She received a designated parking spot, a VIP tent and table in the Beer Garden, a bottle of wine, dinner for two, and Pepper Fest swag.
2024 Royalty
King Jeff Rossini & Queen Macy Zimmer
Princesses Ceci Schley, Lillian Benzer & Carly Brown
Sunday Night Band: Firewater Gospel Choir - sponsored by Starr’s Bar
Join us next August 16 - 17 - 18 for Pepper Fest 2024!
Congratulations 2024 Button Design Winner, Judy Shatek!
