Pittsburgh Hot Sauce Festival Debuts Oct 4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact Info:
Lisa Ray, Owner/Founder
Hammajack Heat Co.
and Pittsburgh’s Rivers of Fire LLC
Hammajack Heat Co.
and Pittsburgh’s Rivers of Fire LLC
Image 1: Logo [Click image for larger view]
PITTSBURGH’S FIRST HOT SAUCE FESTIVAL IGNITES OCTOBER 4 AT VELUM FERMENTATION
PITTSBURGH, PA, September 23, 2025 (PittsburghNewsWire.com) — Pittsburgh’s love for bold flavors and local craft culture is about to get even hotter. On Saturday, October 4, 2025, Hammajack Heat Co. will host the city’s first-ever hot sauce festival, Pittsburgh’s Rivers of Fire, at Velum Fermentation in the South Side.
The event will showcase 18 hot sauce makers from Pittsburgh and beyond, offering attendees the chance to taste, shop, and connect with local and visiting artisans. Beyond hot sauces, the festival will feature:
- Pittsburgh’s Hot Talk—a Hot Ones–style series of interviews with Pittsburgh personalities eating increasingly spicy wings while being interviewed by The Positively Pittsburgh Podcast
- League of Fire Pittsburgh Title Belt Match—the first-ever local hot pepper–eating competition
- Fire & Ice Challenge—in collaboration with Pittsburgh TubClub, benefiting Animal Friends for Veterans
- More—including a VIP scavenger hunt, food trucks, food and refreshment vendors, a fire entertainer, and even a giant pinball room
“This festival is about more than heat—it’s about community,” said Lisa Ray, founder of Hammajack Heat Co. and creator of Pittsburgh’s Rivers of Fire. “We’re uniting sauce makers, local businesses, and Pittsburghers who love food and fun. It’s a chance to celebrate creativity, flavor, and the fiery spirit of our city.”
Tickets and event details are available at www.PittsburghsRiversOfFire.com
About Pittsburgh’s Rivers of Fire
Pittsburgh’s Rivers of Fire Hot Sauce Festival was founded by Lisa and Frank Ray of Hammajack Heat Co., a small-batch hot sauce company based in Pittsburgh. The festival highlights local and national hot sauce makers, celebrates Pittsburgh’s craft culture, and creates a one-of-a-kind experience for spice lovers.
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