Grillin' & Chillin 2 Earns Thousands for Various Causes

It all began a year ago and has blossomed into a big success in Dixon. The Grillin’ and Chillin’ 2 chili and rib-cook off drew roughly 14,000 or more chili and rib lovers to Downtown Dixon Saturday according to event organizers.

“The event went outstanding on Saturday, it was over the top, it was more than what I expected,” said Mike Hamilton, one of the co-chairs for this year’s Grillin’ and Chillin’.

Although the official number is around 14,000 or 15,000, Hamilton said he believes that as many as 17,000 converged on Dixon to take part in the event. Last year, the event drew about 7,000 individuals, Hamilton said.

“The word is out … that Grillin’ and Chillin’ and the car and truck show is the place to be,” Hamilton said.

This year 23 rib cooks entered the rib competition, nine more than last year’s event. The top rib cook – Fairfield resident John Ruloff – took home a cash prize of $400, plus all-important bragging rights. A set of pro judges, who volunteered their time for the event, decided the outcome of this competition according to event organizers.

When it came to chili, Sunnyvale resident Ryan Pang took the top prize of $400. Pang was a double winner Saturday, taking third place in the rib cook-off and winning $160. The chili competition was decided by a vote of the people, event organizers said, and featured 10 chili cooks.

While people tasted chili and ate ribs, they had the opportunity to wash it all down with beer and wine. The event, however, was not solely for adults – it was a family affair.

Music filled the air as the people took in the event. A car show featuring 164 cars and trucks kept people moving through Downtown Dixon most of the day. Several prizes were awarded to entrants including Best of Show, Judges Award and Boyz Under the Hood Car Club Award among others.

A car and truck show raffle brought in about $1,100 said Dixon resident and volunteer Leisa Barrett, which she said will be donated to Sacramento Valley National Cemetery’s

At Womens Improvement Club Park, provided rides to children and adults alike. Proceeds from the rides went to the . also held a raffle for a young man, 24-year-old Alan Anderson, who is struggling to overcome cancer and is in need of a bone marrow transplant.

Hamilton, who rallied a group of volunteers calling themselves the A-Team and worked alongside the Downtown Dixon Business Association, said he’s in the process of figuring how much profit was generated at this year’s event. He said he could not yet provide a figure, but said he would be happy if the event garnered a $25,000 profit.

Many local businesses, CalTrans – who was instrumental in shutting down Highway 113 for the event – , Caterpillar (who donated the generators for the event), as well as many local newspapers and radio stations that got the word out provided about $14,000 of in-kind services. Hamilton estimated the event cost between $25,000 and $30,000 to hold this year.

The money raised at Grillin’ and Chillin’ will be used as seed money for some of DBBA’s events held throughout the year such as the . Some of the proceeds will also go to youth sports programs and senior programs, Hamilton said.

Hamilton said Grillin’ and Chillin’ would not have been made possible without the sponsors who generously donated to the cause. A full list of sponsors is available on the Grillin’ and Chillin web site.

Check out some additional images of the event that are attached to this story.