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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - On one of the hottest days of the year, no level of heat was going to stop 10,000 people from going to East Nashville for the 18th Annual Music City Hot Chicken Festival.

This year, the heat was in full force with feel-like temperatures over 100 degrees.

“This is the 18th year in a row we’ve celebrated that special thing that was invented here that was our gift to the world: hot chicken,” said Bill Purcell, founder of the event.

The festival is at East Park every Fourth of July with water stations put in by Metro Water Services.

This year there were nine vendors including Prince’s Hot Chicken, Hattie B’s, and Party Fowl. Chicken eaters waited in lines for about 30 minutes at some tents all to get a taste of some battered, sizzling, goodness.

“We came from Alabama just to get some of this,” said Tamaya Lipscomb. “First time here at the chicken festival.”

Samantha Martinez and her family have the festival down to a science. They brought a table and chairs to set up in the shade. Her family has been regulars at the event for the last 10 years.

“There’s a lot of shade at this park,” Martinez said. “It’s an easy come here a little bit early, sit down, chill for a little bit. I’ve never really had too much of a problem with the heat.”

Whether it’s heat from the snack, the spice, or the steamy sun, no sweltering temps will stop this sweaty Nashville tradition.

“On this being the hottest day of the year, eating the hottest food it may be certainly in Nashville, people do the right thing,” said Purcell.

All proceeds from the festival go to Metro Parks and Recreation.