Chillin & Grillin' expecting biggest year yet, still needing more BBQ contestants
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The Seventh Annual Chillin and Grillin Festival is expected to be the biggest one yet, says Chamber of Commerce President Kristin Valentin, but organizers are having a hard time finding enough competitors for the BBQ contest.
Chillin & Grillin is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the nonprofit Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce, and is a major economic driver for the City of Sand Springs. The festival will be held at Case Community Park from Thursday, April 12th through Saturday the 14th. After six years of hosting an official Kansas City Barbecue Society event, the Chamber decided to forgo the prestigious, but expensive, partnership.
There are four categories of competition with a $1,000 grand prize and $500 reserve. The contest judges brisket, pork, ribs, and chicken. There is also a People's Choice category and a Kid's competition. Only four teams have committed to the full contest, and Valentin says they may have to cancel it if they don't get ten teams by Friday.
People's Choice will proceed unhindered and already has eight entrees. Visitors can pay $10 to eat their fill on Saturday and vote for their favorite overall team. The Church That Matters Holy Smokers won the first five People's Choice Awards and were dethroned by the Sand Springs Parks Department last year.
In addition to barbecue, Lee's Charburgers, Not Your Grandma's Cupcakes, and Kettle Treats will also be on hand, as will numerous vendors of arts and crafts, clothing, cooking and barbecue supplies, and more. Yellow House Market and Boutique, Okie Spice and Trade Co., Cutco Cutlery, and BJ's Pit Stop will be setting up shop and Janicelynn Yazzie will be selling traditional Navajo jewelry and blankets.
The festival has expanded to three days for the first time and will have a full carnival as well. Entry is free all three days. Carnival wristbands are $20/day in advance or $25 at the gate and can be purchased at Prattville Market, Verizon Wireless, and Green Country Federal Credit Union. The wristbands will provide unlimited rides on either Thursday or Friday. Rides are $3 apiece on Saturday.
Food trucks, carnival rides, live music, and a beer garden will be on hand all three days, and the Harper's Hut Classic Car Show will be on Saturday with five Best in Show categories and unique custom trophies made from actual car parts.
Student jazz bands from Mannford, Berryhill, and Charles Page High School will provide the entertainment Thursday evening. Sand Springs's own Jennifer Marriott Band will perform on Friday, and Midlife Crisis will play on Saturday.
Parking will be free all three days.
"This year we are already ahead of the game and we're very excited about it. The sponsorships of the companies in this town that are supporting us and this event are amazing," says Valentin.
"We truly feel that these events are economic development in its purest form because it brings people to Sand Springs, gets people out of their homes and doing something that isn't very expensive. We're very conscious of making it moderately priced so that people can absolutely come out and enjoy it."
To enter the barbecue contest, contact Kristen Valentin at (918) 245-3221. To enter the car show, contact William Nozak at (918) 671-6352. Car show entrees are $15 in advance or $20 day of.
Event sponsors: Green Country Federal Credit Union, OmniTRAX, City of Sand Springs, Webco Industries, Church That Matters, Cecil & Sons Discount Tires, Keystone Chevrolet, Osage Casino Hotel, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Sam's Club, United Rentals, The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge, KRMG, Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service, Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores, PepsiCo, and Reasor's.
