LAKEPORT, Calif. – Team Smokin’ Aces, led by Adam Bruch, took top People’s Choice honors at this year’s Grillin’ on the Green barbecue cookoff while the Delta Iota Tau sorority earned “Best Decorated Booth” honors.

The grilling team known as Beef Cake, led by Jesse Richardson, was runnerup in the cookoff, and the Lakeport Lions took third place in the voting. Walt Southard took Best Car honors with his 1931 Chevy.

The winners were selected following the competition and festivities Saturday, Aug. 6, at the seventh annual fundraiser at Westside Community Park.

Last year’s Rookie of the Year choice Fresh & Bangin’ Eatery was this year’s winner of the Celebrity Judges’ Choice award.

Celebrity judges Dave Faries, managing editor of the Lake County Record-Bee, retired Superior Court Judge David Herrick, and Certified Financial Planner Jennifer Strong, owner of Strong Financial Network in Lakeport, selected the “Wingin’ It” team put together by People Services as Rookie of the Year.

Organizers deemed this year’s event a success with over $19,000 in revenue from ticket and drink sales, sponsorships and donations.

More than 370 people attended the fundraiser and enjoyed tastes from 10 grilling teams, dancing to music by the Funky Dozen, kids’ activities, a beach handball demonstration featuring players from the Bay Area, horse-drawn wagon rides, and a show of classic and vintage cars.

“The Westside Community Park Committee is grateful for the support of the community for this year's Grillin',” said Dennis Rollins, chair of the Westside Community Park Committee. “It was our biggest crowd yet – a wonderful turnout. The grillers and other food providers, our sponsors, volunteers, the car clubs, the Horse Council, and the people who came out to enjoy the evening in the park all made for a highly successful event. We thank Paul Larrea who acted as our master of ceremonies and kept the program moving between announcements and music.”

Cookoff teams this year included One-Fifty-One Squad Club (sponsored by Jimmy’s Deli), JQ (led by Jason Strickler), Passion for Food, and Livin’ Made EZ.

“We have enjoyed the best barbecue every year and super support from the community,” said Cindy Ustrud, chair of the event committee. “The food is outstanding. I can't thank the grillers enough for their enthusiasm and generosity.”

Competing teams and their sponsors supply the food and volunteer their time and services to the fundraiser.

Attendees were treated to additional dishes to complement the barbecue tastes. Salads, beans, desserts and beverages were provided by Lakeview Market, the Lakeport English Inn, the Main Street Bicycles, Lake Event Design, Nancy Ruzicka and Ruzicka Associates, and the Park Committee. Snow cones were available from Marta and Domingo Avillea.

Several attendees took advantage of free horse-drawn wagon rides sponsored by the Lake County Horse Council and provided by Susan and Kenn McCarty of the Live Oak Belgians Ranch.

“For the second time at the Grillin’ event, the wagon rides were well received,” said Rollins. “Dozens of people took the rides through the future equestrian area. The committee thanks the McCartys and the Lake County Horse Council for providing the popular activity.”

In addition, the committee is grateful to the car enthusiasts who showed off their vehicles. “The display of vintage vehicles is always a favorite of attendees,” said Rollins.

Participating clubs included the No Name Car Club, Clear Lake Car Club, The Model A’s, The Lake Lords and The Antique Automobile Club of America, Mt. Konocti Division.

Rollins recognized this year’s major sponsors: the Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation, which pledged matching funds up to $4,000, Sutter Lakeside Hospital,  which added an additional $2,500 in matching funds, and Rotary Club of Lakeport ($1,000).

Special sponsorships of grilling teams were acknowledged: City of Lakeport sponsored Beefcake; Lakeport Rotary sponsored Wingin’ It; and the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport sponsored both JQ and Livin’ Made EZ.

Additional sponsors this year were the Ustrud-Rollins Family, the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport, Clear Lake Redi-Mix, Kathy Fowler Auto Center, Lake County News, Lake Event Design, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Alexander McGeoch, DDS, Brian Grey, DDS, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Susie LaPointe, William Kranz, Attorney at Law, Lakeport Tire & Auto Service, Yin McDonald’s, Lake Parts/NAPA Auto Parts, Jim and Wilda Shock, Ruzicka and Associates, and Kelseyville Lumber & Supply Co.

In-kind contributions were made by Lake County News, KNTI, Lake County Publishing and the Lake County Record-Bee, S2 Tutoring & PR, Lake Event Design, Main Street Bicycles, RAHamilton, Disney Trophies and Awards, UCC Rental Center, Thorn Hill Winery, Moylans Brewery, and Lakeport Disposal.

Rollins also thanked the Grillin’ on the Green committee of volunteers: Cindy Ustrud, Wilda Shock, Beth Havrilla, Alice Holmes, Sue Stout, Tami Cramer, Val Schweifler, Jessica Kelley, and Cathy Brennan.

Westside Community Park is a city of Lakeport recreational facility that has been in development since 1998.

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.

More information can be found on the park’s Web site, www.westsidecommunitypark.org .