Datil Fest

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Datil Fest Datil Fest 2026 | Nov. 14 | Palatka Riverfront • Live Music • Food • Cold Beer • Datil Peppers • Family Fun • We even have a kids' play area!

-Hosted by Mayhem Datil Pepper Farms and Main Street Palatka-

Join us on October 26th from 9 AM to 8 PM for the inaugural Datil Fest at the Riverfront in Downtown Palatka,Florida! Datil Fest is perfect for datil pepper enthusiasts and families alike. Enjoy a wide variety of datil pepper vendors, thrilling competitions, food trucks, VIP Perks, a culinary tasting experience, live music, and refreshing beverages—including cold beer! Don't miss out on this family fun-filled day! Datil Fest will be the biggest datil pepper event ever!

***SIGN UP NOW at www.datifest.com for the VIP Access Pass and the Culinary experience before tickets sell out! The festival itself is Free to attend!

HOLY DATIL!!! CAN YOU FEEL THE EXCITEMENT?!?DATIL FEST 2026 IS SHAPING UP TO BE OUR BIGGEST EVENT YET!!!There is an abso...
10/10/2026

HOLY DATIL!!! CAN YOU FEEL THE EXCITEMENT?!?

DATIL FEST 2026 IS SHAPING UP TO BE OUR BIGGEST EVENT YET!!!

There is an absolutely PALPABLE BUZZ building around this year's 3rd Annual Datil Fest, and we can't THANK YOU ALL ENOUGH for the incredible enthusiasm, support, and excitement we're feeling throughout our community!

And folks... JUST LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING!!!

AMATEUR DATIL JUDGES — FULL!
Every judging spot has been filled! THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered their taste buds!

VENDOR BOOTHS — SOLD OUT!
Our vendor marketplace is PACKED! We're exploring expansion possibilities and accepting applications for our 2027 vendor list!**

CULINARY TASTING TICKETS — over 60% GONE!
We're already halfway to SOLD OUT! This delicious experience has sold out early EVERY YEAR, so DON'T WAIT to get your tickets!

AMATEUR DATIL CONTEST — 75% FULL!
Florida's creative Datil enthusiasts are stepping up BIG TIME! Only 25% of contestant spots remain!

LIVE MUSIC, AMAZING FOOD, INCREDIBLE VENDORS, DATIL COMPETITIONS, AND SO MUCH MORE!

To our sponsors, volunteers, contestants, vendors, community partners, and everyone spreading the word — THANK YOU!** Your excitement is contagious, and you're helping us make this festival something truly special!

THIS YEAR'S EVENT IS GOING TO BE HUGE!!!!!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2026
RIVERFRONT PARK — HISTORIC PALATKA, FLORIDA
9 AM – 6 PM
FREE GENERAL ADMISSION!
FAMILY & PET FRIENDLY!

— Get your culinary tickets, check out the schedule, and learn more!

SAVE THE DATE – HELP US SAVE THE DATIL

FLORIDA'S HIDDEN GEM DESERVES ONE HECK OF A CELEBRATION — AND YOU'RE MAKING IT HAPPEN!!!

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU!When everyone shows up at Datil Fest, they see the music, food, vendors, chefs, Datil peppers and all...
10/02/2026

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU!

When everyone shows up at Datil Fest, they see the music, food, vendors, chefs, Datil peppers and all the fun. What they don't see is everything it takes to make it happen.

The months of planning. The meetings. The phone calls. The emails. The follow-ups. The Social media. The coordination. The problem solving. And all the little details that nobody ever sees.

To Revitalize Historic Palatka, UF/IFAS Extension Putnam County and Mayhem Datil Pepper Farms— THANK YOU!

Thank you for putting in the time, energy and effort to create something truly special for our community. Datil Fest doesn't just happen.

It happens because people care. This one's for everyone working behind the scenes to make Datil Fest an amazing event.

We appreciate you more than you know!

SAVE THE DATE – November 14th, Riverfront Palatka! HELP US SAVE THE DATIL

JEFF HOWELL IS COMING TO DATIL FESTGet ready for an afternoon of Louisiana flavor, soulful music, laughter and stories w...
10/01/2026

JEFF HOWELL IS COMING TO DATIL FEST

Get ready for an afternoon of Louisiana flavor, soulful music, laughter and stories when Jeff Howell, a Mayhem Datil Pepper Farms favorite, takes the stage.

Louisiana-born Jeff Howell brings a unique blend of folk, funk, blues, rock and Americana to every performance. But Jeff is much more than a singer-songwriter. He’s a natural storyteller with quick wit, spontaneous humor and an easygoing Southern personality that makes every show feel like you're hanging out with an old friend.

Expect soulful originals, funky grooves, blues-infused favorites, audience interaction and plenty of laughs. Jeff's musical career has taken him from his Louisiana roots to stages around the country and beyond, building a reputation for his distinctive Louisiana acoustic blues and rock-and-roll style.

JEFF HOWELL
Saturday, November 14, 2026
2:00–3:00 PM
Riverfront Park • Historic Downtown Palatka

FREE ADMISSION • FAMILY FRIENDLY

Come for the Datil. Stay for the music. Stay for Jeff Howell.

SAVE THE DATE – HELP US SAVE THE DATIL datilfest.com/live-music

Palatka Riverfront is going to be ROCKIN’! Tag your friends!The Sauce Boss & SAUCE 3:30–5:30 PMWHO WANTS DATIL GUMBO? ...
10/01/2026

Palatka Riverfront is going to be ROCKIN’! Tag your friends!

The Sauce Boss & SAUCE 3:30–5:30 PM
WHO WANTS DATIL GUMBO? Jimmy Buffet inspired!
Blues, Southern rock, comedy, storytelling AND LIVE COOKING!

The Incomparable Jeff Howell 2:00–3:00 PM
Folk, funk, blues, rock & Americana and a whole lotta laughter.

CURTIS WILLIS & FRIENDS 12:30–1:30 PM
Rock, country, blues, classic hits & island music.

DUET AGAIN — MARGIE NELSON & LORRI GILL 11:15 AM–12:15 PM
Classic favorites and great harmonies.

PALATKA’S JELLY ROLLERS 10:00–11:00 AM
Pre-war blues, early jazz, old-time folk & string-band music.

FREE ADMISSION • FAMILY FRIENDLY! Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring a lawn chair. COME FOR THE DATIL. STAY FOR THE MUSIC!

SAVE THE DATE – HELP US SAVE THE DATIL

Check out datilfest.com for more details!

DATIL FEST 2026 — CALLING ALL VENDORS!The 3rd Annual Datil Fest is coming to the Riverfront in Palatka, Florida, and ven...
09/29/2026

DATIL FEST 2026 — CALLING ALL VENDORS!

The 3rd Annual Datil Fest is coming to the Riverfront in Palatka, Florida, and vendor spaces are already filling up!

We’re looking for a diverse mix of vendors with quality goods for thousands of amazing attendees. Whether you offer food, art, crafts, retail products, specialty items, or something completely unique, this is your opportunity to get your business in front of Datil lovers from across the region.

Saturday, November 14, 2026
9 AM – 6 PM
Riverfront Palatka | Palatka, Florida

And yes — you’ll also get to enjoy the great people, amazing food, unique shopping, local businesses, and LIVE MUSIC FROM THE Sauce Boss!

We have already secured the same number of total vendor spots we had last year, so don’t wait to sign up. For details visit- https://datilfest.com/datil-fest-vendors

DON’T MISS OUT! SAVE THE DATE – HELP US SAVE THE DATIL

THE Sauce Boss & EXTRA SAUCE ARE COMING TO , thanks in part to Mayhem Datil Pepper Farms!WHO WANTS DATIL GUMBO?You’ve n...
09/28/2026

THE Sauce Boss & EXTRA SAUCE ARE COMING TO , thanks in part to Mayhem Datil Pepper Farms!

WHO WANTS DATIL GUMBO?

You’ve never seen a show quite like this! The Sauce Boss brings together BLUES, SOUTHERN ROCK, COMEDY, STORYTELLING and LIVE COOKING for one seriously unforgettable performance.

And this isn’t just a concert. The Sauce Boss will be cooking a giant pot of seafood gumbo LIVE ON STAGE while he performs! That’s right — he plays, sings, tells stories, makes you laugh, cooks gumbo and turns the whole Riverfront into one big party.

And when the gumbo is ready, the audience gets to enjoy it WITH a Datil Pepper “Hot Sauce Bar” to choose your favorite Datil Pepper Sauce. If you aren’t aware, The Sauce Boss has had Stage Coach Sauces making his own datil pepper sauce, Liquid Summer Datil, for over 30+ years!

TAG YOUR FRIENDS! This is exactly the kind of crazy, interactive, one-of-a-kind experience that belongs at DATIL FEST. And whatever you do... DON’T MISS THE SAUCE BOSS' DATIL GUMBO!

THE SAUCE BOSS & EXTRA SAUCE
Saturday, November 14, 2026
3:30–5:30 PM
Riverfront Park • Historic Downtown Palatka

FREE ADMISSION • FAMILY FRIENDLY

Come hungry. Come ready to laugh. Come ready to hear some great music.

Details at https://datilfest.com/live-music

DATIL FEST 2026 - SAVE THE DATE – HELP US SAVE THE DATIL

FLORIDA’S HIDDEN GEM. The Datil Pepper is one of Florida’s best-kept secrets.For generations, this unique heirloom peppe...
09/27/2026

FLORIDA’S HIDDEN GEM. The Datil Pepper is one of Florida’s best-kept secrets.

For generations, this unique heirloom pepper has been part of the food, farms, families, culture and history of Northeast Florida. But despite its deep roots and incredible flavor, the Datil Pepper remains largely unknown outside the region.

That’s why we hold Datil Fest. Three years ago, Mayhem Datil Pepper Farms created Datil Fest with a simple mission:

SAVE THE DATIL & BRING AWARENESS TO THE WORLD!

What started as an idea to celebrate this incredible Florida heirloom has grown into a celebration of the people, businesses, farmers, chefs, artists and Datil lovers who believe this piece of Florida heritage deserves a future.

Datil Fest brings people together to celebrate the Datil Pepper, learn about its history, experience its incredible flavor, and—most importantly—help keep the Datil Pepper alive for generations to come.

This isn't just a festival. It's about preserving a piece of Florida history.

It's about supporting the people who grow, produce and celebrate the Datil.

It's about introducing new generations to the pepper that makes Northeast Florida unlike anywhere else.

And it's about making sure Florida's Hidden Gem doesn't become a forgotten part of our past.

That's why we say: SAVE THE DATE – HELP US SAVE THE DATIL.

Learn more about the mission and how you can help: https://datilfest.com/datil-fest-judges-and-volunteers

Three years ago, Mayhem Datil Pepper Farms stepped up and created Datil Fest because they believed the Datil Pepper was worth celebrating. We believe it's worth saving. Now we need your help. Join our cause in Bring Datil Awareness to The World!

GREAT SPONSORS MAKE GREAT EVENTS!Datil Fest doesn't happen without the support of all businesses and organizations that ...
09/24/2026

GREAT SPONSORS MAKE GREAT EVENTS!

Datil Fest doesn't happen without the support of all businesses and organizations that believe in our community.

Today, we want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to our two top sponsors, Florida Power & Light and Georgia-Pacific! Your support, commitment and investment help make Datil Fest possible and help us continue building something special right here in Historic Palatka.

Because when great community partners come together, great things happen.

We appreciate you standing behind Datil Fest and helping us SAVE THE DATIL!

SAVE THE DATE – HELP US SAVE THE DATIL
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Amateur Datil Showdown WinnersA huge thank-you to everyone who signed up for the Amateur Datil Showdown!The creativity t...
12/01/2025

Amateur Datil Showdown Winners

A huge thank-you to everyone who signed up for the Amateur Datil Showdown!

The creativity this year was OUTSTANDING, and the judges had a deliciously tough job. Congratulations to our winners:

🥇 1st Place: Kim — Datil Maize Ya Carmel coated popcorn
🥈 2nd Place: April Cain — Datil Peach Jelly
🥉 3rd Place: Martha Yannitz — Smoked Datil Honey

Thank you to all who participated and shared your incredible datil creations with us!
And… Troy is still a little disappointed — he really thought he was getting the leftovers! 😂

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193-101 St Johns Avenue
Palatka, FL
32177

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