lst International Colville Rotary Chili Cook-Off--and mounted archers! All in Colville this weekend
By Contributor
The 1stInternational Colville Rotary Cook -Off is coming soon–the first event of its kind in the area. In the planning for over one year, this Colville Rotary fundraiser will support many community projects. It will bring chefs and entertainment from British Columbia, Ritzville, Bellingham, Colville, Loon Lake, Chewelah and Kettle Falls to the Colville Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 21.
The north part of the Colville Fairgrounds will open to attendees at noon that day. Those riding in Rotary’s Blazing Saddles bike rides of 20,40, 60&100 mile events will be riding off from the front of the Ag Trade Center at the Fairgrounds early that morning.
The Western music on the Spencer Stage will bring the best performers. The music begins with the soft melodies of the Sweet Adelines, gets into higher gear with the Stevens County Stompers, really puts the boots to dancing with the Texas Twisters, the Mullensand Johnny & the Moondogs.
In the Arena, the Tough Enough Girls will give three performances.
Pat Stoddard, the working cowboy who is an International Star, is coming from Conrad, Montana, to give his awe-inspiring feats. Stoddard is going to be assisted by Dave Windom, Colville Rotary’s president and Director of Tri-County Health District. Stoddard was recently invited by the King of Jordan to ride at his World Archery Competition. He will shoot arrows at targets at a gallop on his little Pinto pony and throw a lance and tomahawk through targets and hit Frisbees flying through the air. His little BLM mustang which took him three years to train will do spirit dancing around a pole.
The chili, to be offered for sampling and attendee judging, range from German White Chili, Buffalo Chili, Lentil Chili, Hawaiian Chili, Kangaroo Chili, Vegetarian Chili, Barbeque Chili, and many others. Other food will be on sale at the many specialty booths. Several displayers are making custom booths. Keith Wilder, a Kettle Falls contractor, has built an out-door kitchen to display his “Wilder Chili.” The Chewelah Casino is touting its chef, Rick, with special features at its booth.
Each chef is preparing diligently for the CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) sanctionedevent in hopes of making points to go on to the national chili contest in Terlinga, TX.The chili will be judged by local folks and overseen by the CASI referee, Lynn Browcow from Seattle.
In the neighborly fashion and in the spirit of Rotary, Colville Rotarians are selling tickets. A ticket may be purchased for one of the veterans attending the Stand Down which is taking place on the Southern portion of the Fairgrounds. Tickets are $12 for adults and kids under eight years get in free. They are also being sold at local ticket outlets: Colville, Chewelah and Kettle Falls Chambers, Happy Hallmark, Valley Drug in Chewelah and Kettle Falls and Clark’s All-Sports.
Fifteen hundred attendees are expected for the Chili festival. Another two thousand veterans are at the Stand Down. Another two hundred or so are expected to be taking part in the Blazing Saddles Bike rides. The day will end for the Chili chefs with the awards ceremony on the Spencer Stage between 5 and 6 p.m.
More people will be arriving at the Fairgrounds starting at 4 p.m. to attend the Colville Food Bank’s annual dinner auction. For information about being a vendor or chili chef, contact Bud Budinger, 732-8917 or budinger.bender@plix.com. Questions about the Blazing Saddles Bike rides may be addressed to Wayne Madsen, 684-5829, or wmadsen@plix.com. If you want to volunteer, please ask for Alison McGrane at 684-8484.
