LAKEPORT, Calif. – Grab your aprons and start testing out your favorite barbecue dishes. It’s time for the yearly cook-off competition at the Grillin’ on the Green fundraiser to benefit Westside Community Park in Lakeport.
The third annual Grillin’ on the Green featuring the barbecue cook-off, musical entertainment by EarReverence and by Andy Rossoff, children’s activities, a car show and a “washer tournament” is scheduled for Saturday, August 4, 5-8 p.m., at Westside Community Park, 1401 Westside Park Road.
The public is invited to attend and participate in the festivities, including the barbecue competition, the Westside Community Park fundraising committee has announced.
Individuals and groups, from backyard barbecuers to professional grillers, have an opportunity to compete in the cook-off. There is no entry fee.
Each contestant is required to provide his/her own setup and samples of the chef’s “grillin’” specialty for 300 people.
The competition will culminate in a presentation of the People’s Choice Awards. Deadline for submission of cook-off entry forms is July 1.
Ticket prices for the event are $25 per adult, $10 per child 12 years old or younger, and no charge for children 2 years old or younger.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Lake Event Design and Main Street Bicycles, all in Lakeport.
Tickets are also available from members of the fundraising committee. They are Dennis Rollins, Cindy Ustrud, Alice Holmes, Wilda Shock, Cindy Engstrom, Mary Ann Larrea and Beth Havrilla.
For cook-off entry forms or additional information about the event and the barbecue competition, contact Ustrud, 707-263-7091, or Rollins, 707-349-0969.
Information about the event and photos of last year’s event can be found on the park’s Web site, www.westsidecommunitypark.org .
The Park Committee is also seeking sponsorships for this year’s event, says Ustrud.
This year’s major sponsors are the Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation, which is pledging matching funds up to $5,000, BiCoastal Media and Lake County News. Levels of sponsor recognition are $100, $300, $500, $1,000, $3,000, and $5,000. Sponsors will be recognized at the Grillin’ on the Green event.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the next phase of development of Westside Community Park. Funds raised by the Lakeport Kiwanis Club’s “Washer Tournament” will also benefit the park. Teams will compete for cash and non-cash prizes. The washer tournament entry fee is $40 per team.
For registration information and entry forms, visit the Kiwanis website at www.kiwanislakeport.org .
In 2009, the Westside Community Park was awarded a $200,000 grant. The grant has assisted the Park Committee in the Phase II development, which must be completed by November 2012. Phase II is a six-acre development with three soccer fields, one regulation baseball field, and one combination Little League/softball field. The estimated cost of Phase II is $335,000.
Westside Community Park is a City of Lakeport recreational facility that was established 13 years ago. 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.
The park currently is four acres consisting of two soccer fields, a parking lot, a picnic area overlooking the soccer fields, an ADA compliant walking path and a dog park.
Future plans for development of the park’s full 60 acres include baseball/softball fields, a BMX track, a skateboard facility, horseshoe pits, football fields, a children’s play structure, walking paths along Forbes Creek and a horse arena.