Ripon Rotary Club’s first-ever Chili Cook-Off and Car Show is this Saturday at the local VFW Post 1051 at 12455 W. Ripon Rd.
The cook-off and “Cornbread Showdown” featuring a car show, live music and five tastings is $5. Proceeds will go towards the Ripon Rotary Foundation and will be distributed to area students under the chairmanship of club president John Mangelos.
“Two Ripon High students have already asked for trade school application grants,” he said.
Madison McDaniel and Paul Mitchell, both 17 and members of the RHS chapter of Future Farmers of America, were thrilled at the chance to get scholarships from Rotary that would help pay some of their way through their chosen trade schools.
McDaniel works part-time at the Togo’s sandwich shop in Ripon has set her sights on the California Beauty College.
Mitchell, who won “Best of Show” at the San Joaquin County Ag Fest for his side dumping shuttle cart project, is planning to take welding courses at Modesto Junior College and is currently employed at Frank Borba & Sons.
“He hopes to be doing pipeline welding for utilities such as PG&E, TID and SSJID in his future,” said Mangelos, who added that there’s still time for those interested to enter the competition by contacting the Ripon Rotary Club Foundation, P.O. Box 295, Ripon, or by contacting any Ripon Rotarian and request an application form.
As for the chili cook-off, the event will take place at the corner of West Ripon Road and Olive Avenue.
Featured will be more than 25 cars on display. The car show is being coordinated by Brenda Lang and Jeremiah North form the Ripon Fire Department.
The chili cook-off with have two divisions — Professional / Restaurant Division and an Amateur Division.
Among the sponsors are Bob & Trudy Hutto, Travaille Phippen Inc., McManis Family Wineries, Performance Trucking Academy, Speelman Evacuation Inc., Harrison & Faye Gibbs, Barnwood Arms, David Hall Masonry and Austin Meat Service.
For more information on the cook-off, call 209.599.5374 or e-mail TMRKJL@yahoo.com.
