While the mercury may be sitting on the top end of your thermometer, the air isn't the only thing that will be hot on the weekend of August 11th. Hot Fest will be bringing spicy foods and smoking tunes to join in on the heat of the moment. And as a nice bonus, it's all to benefit Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Counseling Center, and Visiting Nurses Association Hospice.

Certainly food is one of the big factors at this festival. One of the centerpieces of the concept is a homemade salsa competition. The contest will be divided into three "heats" with one on Friday night the 11th and two on Saturday the 12th. The public will pick the winner from the entries. The victorious team will win a trip to Las Vegas. Of course, there will be plenty of other foods and beverages on hand from various local establishments, too.

If you have a craving for some hot tunes, they've got you covered there, too. In fact they are going to have two stages for music. In addition to the main stage there will be a secondary one for the "cooler" sounds in the form of acoustic performances. Such local favorites as X-51, Holland Zander and Agnus Jackson are on the itinerary.  So are Sarah Abramowitz, The Burning Sensations (with that name if they don't belong at this festival, who does?),  Whalebone, Dan Voll and Combo Loco, Ernie and the Po Boys, Ernie Hendrickson and the Make Believe, The Blooze Brothers and many more.

So, if you want to sample some great salsas, you know where to go next weekend. If you are just looking for some great live music, this is also your ticket. Speaking of tickets, you can get in for $5 for both days. The festival is being held in the Waterworks parking lot at the corner of Wyman and Jefferson in downtown Rockford. For more information (including the full band schedule) be sure to check the event website at http://www.hotfestforhospice.com.