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Annual ‘Grillin’ on the Green’ returns to raise funds for Westside Community Park
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Some of the best grillers in Lake County will fire up their barbecues and pit their skills against one another Saturday, Aug. 7, in one of the hottest contests this summer, and the public is invited to help choose the winners.
Attendees will enjoy samples and cast votes for their favorite grillers while supporting improvements at Westside Community Park at this year’s “Grillin’ on the Green,” returning after the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 event.
Barbecue amateurs and experts will vie for bragging rights during the family fun event at the park, 1401 Charlie Jolin Way, between 5 and 7:30 p.m.
Additionally, the popular barbecue competition will feature plenty of food, drink, and entertainment for all ages.
Presented by the Westside Community Park Committee, the event is an annual fundraiser for development of the park, which is home to soccer fields, a dog park, baseball and softball diamonds, horseshoe pits, and a bicycle pump track.
The committee is also working to establish a horse park on a separate site located off State Highway 175, west of Lakeport.
Local organizations, individuals and professionals go head-to-head in the Grillin’ on the Green cook-off, preparing their best barbecue recipes for attendees who then cast People’s Choice votes for their favorites.
A group of celebrity judges will select their favorites as well, with Celebrity Choice and Rookie Griller awards to be presented. Honoring area first responders, this year’s celebrity judges are Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin, Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen and Lakeport Fire Protection District Chief Jeffrey Thomas.
Event attendees will enjoy a variety of barbecued dishes, accompanied by side dishes and beverages, and entertainment including live music by the LC Diamonds, children’s water activities and a car show featuring vintage vehicles from local car clubs. An award for People’s Choice Favorite Vehicle will be presented.
Tickets purchased in advance of the event are $25 per adult, $10 per child between the ages of 5 and 12, and no charge for children 4 years old or younger.
Adult tickets purchased at the event will cost $30 per adult. All proceeds benefit the Westside Community Park development. Call Cindy Ustrud, 707-349-0718, or Dennis Rollins, 707-349-0969, for more information.
Advance tickets for “Grillin’ on the Green” may be purchased at the Lake County Chamber of Commerce in Lakeport and at Polestar Computers in Kelseyville.
“Grillin’ on the Green gets better every year with incredible barbecue dishes created by our participating teams and lots of fun, family entertainment,” said event chair Ustrud. “Attendees call the fare the best barbecue around, and what a great way to raise funds for continuing improvements to our community park. We hope to see you there.”
This year’s grill competitors include several teams who have competed in previous years. Teams confirmed for the event include the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport, Rotary Club of Lakeport, City of Lakeport, Adam Bruch, Jessie Richardson, Aaron Ustrud-Rollins, Alfred Silva, Jared Brownscombe and Andy Williams.
Side dishes will be available to attendees. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
“We thank the many sponsors helping us to present this year’s event and support the development of our park,” said Rollins.
Major sponsors include Lake County News, KNTI, the Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation, Susan King, the Ustrud-Rollins Family, Community First Credit Union, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, James and Alice Holmes, the Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, and Tomkins Tax Consultants.
Rollins also expressed gratitude for the in-kind contributions from Lake Event Design, Steele Wines, O'Meara Brothers Brewing, and Disney Trophies & Awards.
Information about the event can be found on the park’s website, www.westsidecommunitypark.org, or on Westside Community Park’s Facebook page.
Westside Community Park is a regional recreational facility that is operated by the City of Lakeport and the Westside Community Park Committee. It has been in development for 19 years.
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.