More than a dozen to compete in ‘Grillin’ on the Green’ Aug. 4
- Susan Stout
- Posted On
LAKEPORT, Calif. – More than a dozen competitors are ready to serve up tastes of their best barbecue in one of the hottest contests this summer, and the public is invited to help choose the winners.
Barbecue amateurs and experts will pit their skills against one another Saturday, Aug. 4, at the ninth annual “Grillin’ on the Green” at Westside Community Park, 1401 Westside Park Road.
The 5 to 7:30 p.m. event will feature the popular barbecue competition with plenty of food, drink, and entertainment for all ages.
Presented by the Westside Community Park Committee, the event is an annual fundraiser for development of the park, home to soccer fields, a dog park, baseball and softball diamonds, horseshoe pits, and a bicycle pump track. Future plans include establishing an equestrian center.
Local organizations, individuals and professionals go head-to-head in the Grillin’ on the Green cook-off, preparing their best barbecue recipes for attendees who then cast People’s Choice votes for their favorites.
A group of celebrity judges will select their favorite as well. Joining Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin on the panel of celebrity judges this year will be Dana Stubblefield, retired defensive tackle for the 49ers and the Raiders, and Luis Castelero, a Kelseyville farm owner who has more than 60 years in the restaurant business.
Event attendees will enjoy a variety of barbecued dishes, accompanied by side dishes and beverages, and entertainment including live music by the LC Diamonds, children’s water activities, a car show featuring vintage vehicles from local car clubs, and a Beach Handball demonstration.
Snow cones, canned soda and bottled water will be available from Marta and Domingo Avillea.
Tickets purchased in advance of the event are $25 per adult, $10 per child between the ages of 5 and 12, and no charge for children 4 years old or younger. Adult tickets purchased at the event will cost $30 per adult.
All proceeds benefit the Westside Community Park development. Call Cindy Ustrud, 707-263-7091, or Dennis Rollins, 707-349-0969, for more information.
Advance tickets for “Grillin’ on the Green” may be purchased at the Lake County Chamber of Commerce and The Travel Centers in Lakeport and at Polestar Computers in Kelseyville.
“Grillin’ on the Green gets better every year with incredible barbecue dishes created by our participating teams and lots of fun, family entertainment,” said Ustrud, the event chair. “Attendees call the fare the best barbecue around, and what a great way to raise funds for continuing improvements to our community park. We hope to see you there.”
This year’s grill competitors include teams from the Lakeport Kiwanis, the Early Lake Lions, and the Lakeport Lions. Also signed up to vie for bragging rights are The Smokin’ Aces (Adam Bruch), Beef Cakes (Jessie Richardson), PSI Slider “Bees” sponsored by the Delta Iota Tau Sorority, Team Sutter Lakeside (Dennis Rasner - Nurses Association for Sutter Health), Wayne Yahnke (Haunted Lake County), Fresh & Bangin' (John Arslanian), Andre Williams (Drinx), Aaron Vandewarker (Mendocino BBQ Catering), a team headed by Aaron Rollins, and another by Tyler Fandel.
Generous community backs ‘Grillin’’
Grillin’ on the Green is made possible by the participating grillers, sponsors, and the community, said Ustrud. “We are extremely grateful for the people who make the annual event a success each year,” she said. “There are a number of generous individuals, businesses and organizations who step up to help make the Grillin’ event happen.”
The Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation is for the eighth year offering a sponsorship match. The Foundation will match up to $3,000.
Other major contributors – “World Cup” sponsors – include Sutter Lakeside Hospital and the Ustrud-Rollins Family.
“Grand Slam” sponsors for 2018 include Alexander McGeoch, DDS, Brian L. Grey, DDS, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Matt Mazzei Auto Dealership, Hillside Power Sports & Marine, Clear Lake Redi Mix, the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, and the Lakeport Main Street Association.
“Home Run” sponsors include Susie LaPointe, The Dock Factory & Supply Co., Lakeport Tire & Auto, Guy Strohmeier’s Auto Center, Adventist Health, William C. Kranz, Attorney at Law, Lake Parts/Napa Auto Parts, Wilda and Jim Shock, and Margaret Silveira.
Organizations and individuals sponsoring Grillin’ teams are Delta Iota Tau Sorority, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, City of Lakeport, Lakeport Rotary, and an anonymous citizen of Lakeport.
Providing in-kind sponsorship and support for the event, Ustrud noted, are Lake Event Design, Lake County News, Lakeport Cinema 5, KNTI, Disney Trophies and Awards, UCC Rental Center, Thorn Hill Vineyards, Shannon Ridge Winery, and O’Meara Bros. Brewing Co.
Sponsors of the fundraiser are recognized annually at the event. Donations of any amount, payable to Westside Community Park Committee, may be sent to 1350 Berry Street, Lakeport.
Additionally, Ustrud thanked the committee members for their contributions. Committee members are Beth Havrilla, Alice Holmes, Jessica Kelley, Dennis Rollins, Val Schweifler, Sue Stout and Wilda Shock.
Westside Community Park is a regional recreational facility that is operated by the city of Lakeport and the Westside Community Park Committee. It has been in development for 19 years.
The nonprofit park committee is developing the park in conjunction with the city of Lakeport, volunteers, and numerous contributions by individuals and businesses dedicated to constructing a recreational facility for the youth and adults of Lake County.
Information about the event can be found on the park’s Web site, www.westsidecommunitypark.org, or on Westside Community Park’s Facebook page.