LAKEPORT >> Summertime is grillin’ time, and members of the Westside Community Park Committee are preparing for the sixth annual “Grillin’ on the Green” fundraiser, an afternoon event featuring a friendly barbecue competition with plenty of food, drink, and entertainment for all ages.
This year’s Grillin’ on the Green barbecue cook-off is scheduled for Aug. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Westside Community Park, located at 401 Westside Park Road in Lakeport. Organizations, individuals and professionals go head-to-head in the cook-off, preparing their best barbecue recipes for attendees who then cast People’s Choice votes for their favorites.
The Clear Lake High School Sports Foundation and Lakeport Fire Department Volunteers combined to take top honors at last year’s contest while Adam Bruch led his team, The Bru Cru, to second place, and Still Smokin’ and Q-n with Adrian Hoaglen took third.
New this year is the addition of three “celebrity” judges who will select their favorite griller. Michelle Malm, food services director for the Kelseyville Unified School
District; Dave Faries, managing editor of the Lake County Record-Bee; and Michael Lunas, a Superior Court judge, have agreed to put their “foodie” reputations on the line.
Grillers and sponsors are encouraged to sign up soon. Call Cindy Ustrud at 263-7091 or Dennis Rollins at 349-0969 for information.
Ticket prices for the event cost $25 per adult, $10 per child between the ages of 5 and 12, and no charge for children 4 years old or younger. They are available in advance and will be sold at the function. All proceeds benefit the Westside Community Park development.
Advance tickets for Grillin’ on the Green may be purchased at the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Bicycles, Lake Event Design, and The Travel Centers, all in Lakeport, and at Polestar Computers in Kelseyville.
“Come out and join us for a fun evening in the park. Dance. Eat. Play — all while helping us raise funds to continue developing the park,” said Rollins, chair of the Westside Community Park Committee.
Children’s activities are planned, and the whole family will enjoy musical entertainment by the LC Diamonds, he said. Vintage cars will be on display by car clubs. Wagon rides by Andre and Ellen Boersma, sponsored by the Lake County Horse Council, are new to the event’s featured activities this year.
Attendees will have a full dinner with fixings to accompany the barbecue dishes said, Rollins.
Information about the event can be found on the park’s website, www.westsidecommunitypark.org, or on Westside Community Park’s Facebook page.
Sponsors of the event are sought and will be recognized at the Grillin’ on the Green event. Levels of sponsor recognition are $100, $300, $500, $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000. Contributions of any amount may be sent to 1350 Berry St. Lakeport, CA 95453 and made payable to Westside Community Park Committee.
Westside Community Park is a city of Lakeport recreational facility that has been in development for 17 years. The nonprofit park committee is developing the park in conjunction with the city, volunteers and numerous contributions by individuals and businesses dedicated to constructing a recreational facility for the youth and adults of Lake County.
