Grillin' and Chillin' Rib & Chili Event is Heating Up

In just three more weeks, the huge Grillin’ and Chillin’ Rib and Chili Cook-off and Car Show will be back again to fill downtown Dixon with thousands of people anxious to enjoy an old-fashioned street fair. It will be Saturday, July 21, 10 am to 10 pm in downtown Dixon.

“This is our third year and we are looking at more activities for the children, more classic cars, and more participation from our surrounding communities. We’re also better organized because we now have the experience too,” said Event Director Mike Hamilton.

“What makes this such a great event is have we have so many people coming from other areas. Just because we have it in Dixon doesn’t mean it belongs exclusive to Dixon—it’s a great opportunity to make new friends from surrounding areas,” he said.

Hamilton doesn’t doubt it will be another success because the committee now knows what to expect from all the various facets of running it.

“In three years it has grown from its humble beginnings to take up every available square foot of space in downtown Dixon. We are taking up eight square blocks” said committee member Steve Lorente of Lorente Productions, a sound and lighting company that will handle many facets of the event’s entertainment. “You might say we’re a stuffed pig. We have run out of downtown,” he said with a chuckle.

“The car show opens at 10 am  and at last count we had 185 cars but we expect as many as 250 by the day of the event,” said Steve. There will also be live music throughout the day.

“Vendors are standing in line to fit in,” Suzanne Lorente added. Suzanne has been part of the committee alongside her husband and volunteered to coordinate the wedding of Alan Anderson and Pamela Cash who have chose the street fair as their wedding site because it holds special meaning for them.

Last year, there was a fundraiser at Grillin’ and Chillin’ for a bone marrow transplant for Anderson, now 25, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 Testicular Cancer two and a half years ago. The fundraiser was significant and with other local efforts, provided complete payment of all the bills but even better, the surgery provided Anderson victory over cancer.  

At 10 am on the stage across from Bud’s Pub and Grill, there will be the opening ceremonies for the event and immediately thereafter, the wedding will begin. Pastor Frank Salmone of Cornerstone Church will officiate and several local merchants including Bud’s Pub and Bryan-Braker Funeral Home have gotten involved to hide out the bride and groom and wedding party until the wedding starts.

After cupcake refreshments and the chairs removed from the center of town, “the other party will start,” said Steve Lorente.

“The Piggy Park is stuffed full,” said Suzanne who has solicited the Dixon Kiwanis Club members to help staff some of the children’s activities. There will be the children’s ride-on train by Bryan-Braker Funeral Home, a dunk tank with local celebrities, face painting, pony rides, a water slide, a petting zoo provided by Tacy Currey’s Wolfskill 4-H Club and Bob Havlin’s prize-winning pig.

A new feature of the Piggy Park will be a nutrition and health event for children sponsored by Dixon Ace Hardware and Lumber. Children will learn to grow their own vegetables and get a lesson on healthy eating with speakers provided by Solano County Health Department and from Dixon, Hollister, Redwood City, Fairfield, Vacaville, and San Jose.

Volunteers are still needed, she said, and encouraged people to call (707) 678-6079. The Piggy Park will close no later than 7 pm. For more information, go to DixonRibCookoff.com.