LAKEPORT >> The Westside Community Park Committee is ready to present the sixth annual “Grillin’ on the Green” fundraiser featuring a friendly barbecue competition and entertainment for all ages on Saturday.
The event will kick off at 5 p.m. at Westside Community Park, 1401 Westside Park Road. There will be a variety of barbecued dishes, accompanied by side dishes and beverages, and three hours of entertainment including music by the LC Diamonds, children’s activities, a car show featuring vintage vehicles and horse-drawn wagon rides touring the proposed horse facilities at the park.
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. Tickets are available in advance and will be sold at the function. All proceeds benefit the Westside Community Park development. Call Cindy Ustrud, 263-7091, or Dennis Rollins, 349-0969, for more information.
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.
Local 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. This year’s competition will include a rematch between last year’s top three teams: the Lakeport Fire Protection District (fixing chicken this year), which teamed with the Clear Lake High School Sports Foundation to take top honors in 2014; The Bru Cru (fish and shrimp tostadas and tacos) led by Adam Bruch; and Still Smokin’ and Q-n with Adrian Hoaglen (not yet determined).
Additional cook-off challengers and their planned food items include the city of Lakeport (rosemary chicken), the Lakeport Kiwanis (pork ribs), the Early Lake Lions (beef), the Lakeport Lions (New York steak), Joe Wind (pork ribs and beans), Jessie Richardson (beef tri-tip) and Fresh and Bangin’ Eatery (pulled pork and grits egg roll).
While attendees will vote for their favorites in the cook-off, three “celebrity” judges 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.
Side dishes including salads, beans, peach crunch and lemon bars will be provided. Beer, wine and other beverages will also be available. Snow cones by Marta and Domingo Avillea may be purchased at the event.
Horse-drawn wagon rides by Andre and Ellen Boersma of Scotts Valley are new to the event’s featured activities this year. The wagons seat 12 and are pulled by the Boersmas’ Percheron horses. Rides will begin at 6 p.m. The wagon rides will offer 20-minute tours of the new proposed horse facilities at the park.
Members of local car clubs will park their vintage vehicles for viewing during the event. Grillin’ on the Green attendees will be able to vote for their favorite vintage vehicle and favorite “make-out” vehicle.
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 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. in Lakeport, 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 Lakeport, volunteers and numerous contributions by individuals and businesses dedicated to constructing a recreational facility for the youth and adults of Lake County.
