CROWDS of people turned out to Hatherleigh’s Island Park on Saturday for the town’s ‘Chilli Skate Festival’.

A combination of the town’s popular chilli festival with the skate jam that was launched last year, the event drew dozens of people into the park. The event was organised by the Hatherleigh?Festival Committee.

Each year the festival attracts businesses to serve up their best chilli concoctions to be named Chilli?Con?Carne Champion.

Brave souls also took on the Chilli?Chow Down?Challenge — daring people to eat as many chillies as possible.

Artist Tom Hyde led a community art project and there was a craft tent, pinata workshop and activities for all ages. The entries for the Sheep Ahoy contest were also on display.

After the fun of the chilli tasting and the crowning of the Chilli Chow Down contest, there was an evening of music and dancing.

Pictures by James Bird