Got a little extra sleep in this day (I was getting used to the motorboat next to me) because the WOF started an hour later. Rolling out of bed, showering, and eating breakfast helped alleviate the hangover. I then found myself shopping at JJ’s with Marco from Marco’s Sauces. He was flabbergasted at the shear size of the store and really wanted to see their live fish section.

A quick jaunt up to the comp breakfast for some coffee brought us right up to opening time and the people started to stumble in. One of the more amusingly brilliant things this year was the fact that Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice had requested again to be placed next to Defcon’s booth. Whenever Defcon lit someone up, they ran over to get some ice to cool down. Brilliant!

Location location location.

The usual shenanigans were going on, sauce sampling, selling, wheelin’ and dealing. The bloggers were blogging, and the customers were eating. We also celebrated Al “Buddahs” birthday (he looks so young for his age….must be all that capsaicin).

The bloggers doing what they do best….blogging!

I see years of therapy in his future.

Along with the giant carrot walking around, Intensity Academy also had their (what I’m assuming is first annual) Lick-A-Thon. They created a lollipop using cane sugar, chai tea, and 1.5 million SHU extract.

Raise your weapons.

The contestants gathered around the table and raised their implements of pain high into the air. Then they had to lick it ten times and start sucking. The first one to completely dissolve the lolli wins. But there was a catch, you can’t take it out of your mouth.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a 1.5 million SHU lollipop? More than three apparently.

Joe Levinson working the tongue action.

Pushing through the pain.

HUDD, the Defcon Deathmatch Champion, contemplates the mysteries of the universe.

That’s not a yawn.

Eric’s tears pretty much sum this up.

Vic from Phoenix was the eventual winner of the contest and received a very nice bag of goodies. I sampled a lolli and was quite surprised at the taste! There’s a little hint of extract but it’s almost completely covered up by the chai tea and cane sugar. I usually don’t like sugary things but this was just right, not over the top (read: high fructose corn syrup) and very enjoyable. The heat really did build but nothing to intense. I really recommend this product….just keep it away from the kids. Well, unless you are trying to break them of a sugar addiction, then just leave it laying out for their grubby little hands to steal….and people wonder why I don’t have any kids.

With the main event being done for the day I wondered back out onto the floor in an attempt to cram as much smoozing with the vendors in as I could. Joe Levinson and I got the finger licking good shots over at Sauce Goddess’s booth and then captured Cajun Heat raffle (two Ohioians and one out of towner won). I was even able to snag a shot of Jungle Jim himself!

The Sauce Goddess demonstrates her slogan.

Joe and Linda Levinson at CaJohn’s booth.

The Cajun Heat Raffle.

Jungle Jim does his best Fonzi impression….Aaaaaaaa.

As the event came to a close it was time to donate the money we bloggers raised to the appropriate charities. Both Autism Speaks and Jim Campbell’s Step Up for Charity received $250!!! All the bloggers did a wonderful job peddling products and collecting money and a special thanks goes out to all the vendors that came by and donated products.

Joe and Linda Levinson receive the Autism Speaks check.

The check for Jim Campbell’s Step Up For Charity.

And with that, the event was over. Clean up started and within an hour (well, not counting Defcon, he was probably there until midnight) the place was virtually empty. Most of us headed over to Pappadeaux for a nightcap of excellent Cajun food and then left for our respected places of dwelling.

All in all, the show a great but it also was another victim of the economy. Attendance was down and those that did show up enjoyed the sauces but were not spending very much. Jim Beckett and Debbie Artinger did a wonderful job especially considering they jumped on the boat at the end and had a lot to handle. They tried to make everyone feel very welcome and at ease. But all the hiccups aside, it was a blast. We all had a wonderful time, got to see old friends, meet new ones, and enjoy each others products and really, that’s what it’s all about. I look forward to next years events.

But wait! Don’t leave now! There’s more! Stay tuned for the final installment of my Weekend of Fire coverage. Up next I will share with you the wonderment that was CaJohn’s Open House and a look at his new building!