Farmers embrace big impact of Pueblo Chile Festival

People packed Pueblo for a pick of peppers Saturday as day two of the 24th annual Pueblo Chile and Frijole Festival took over Union Ave. downtown.

This event means big bucks to a number of local businesses, but especially for the Chile farmers.

“Chile Festival has really become a big part of our lives,” said Joey Musso of Musso’s Chile. His family has two stands and a number of roasters cooking up chile peppers all throughout the day.

Between all the farmers participating during the festival, they expect to sell more than 100,000 pounds of peppers. (PHOTOS)

Musso says this weekend alone accounts for about a fifth of their sales for the entire year.

“This Chile Festival has put Pueblo on the map and people from all over the country are coming in to see what the deal is with the Pueblo Chile,” said Musso.

But it’s not just seeing that’s believing for all the Chile Fest-goers. It’s the smell in the air that captivates people.

“It’s what we come back for every year, just for that smell,” said Robert Urvantk, from Colorado Springs. “I could go to the store and do the same thing from home, but it’s just different here.”

Things don’t wrap up Saturday until midnight, and gates will open Sunday at 10 a.m. until the festival ends at 6 p.m.