Twelve contestants competed in the recent jalapeno eating contest at Bowers Chili Pepper Festival.

Three women competed this year, the most they ever had said Master of Ceremonies Mike Hoster.

There were two heats of six contents each.

Each contestant was given a plate of 10 pre-weighed Jalapeno peppers.

When the contest started, they had 30 seconds to eat as many peppers as they could get into their mouths.

After the 30 seconds was up, they were allowed to chew what was still in their mouth, swallow it and keep it down or be disqualified.

Each contestant's mouth was checked before being dismissed to wait for the judges' decisions.

Winning first place was James Herron, eating 153 grams of Jalapeno peppers in 30 seconds.

Second place winner was Carl Readinger, eating 133 grams.

Winning third place went to Joseph Rodriguez, eating 122 grams.

Herron placed first last year and Readinger placed second last year.

Competing for the first time was Rodriguez, who said he would probably enter the contest again next year.

Of the thousands of people attending the festival this year many took the horse and wagon ride to nearby Meadow View Farms to get home grown fresh vegetables and produce and flowers.

Music was provided by Butch Imhoff's Acoustic Road Show.

Food and drinks are always plentiful, with most of the food flavored with chili peppers.