The Chester Rotary Club will host the 2016 “Grillin’ on the Green, With a Taste of Chester” Thursday May 12 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Chester’s Village Green adjacent to the Chester Library on Centre Street. Proceeds from the event will go to the club’s charities including youth programs at the Chester YMCA, Chesterfield Food Bank, helping Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America and repairing homes devastated by natural disasters.
While this year’s Grillin’ on the Green event will mark its sixth year as a competition, it will mark the second time with an expanded format.
“We will continue to have the great BBQ contest we’ve been having over the years,” said Chester Rotary member Chris Bates. “But last year we added a second category of competition to include area restaurants that do not do BBQ. Thus we added the tagline – with a taste of Chester. It was a huge success.”
Chesterfield couple Melody and Chris Morton is hoping to be back this year. “Last year was fantastic. My only regret was we couldn’t get there sooner. I would really like to attend again this year,” said Mrs. Morton. Her husband added, “We had a great time and I would definitely do it again.”
Karen Marsh, also a Chesterfield resident, enjoyed the local flavor and being introduced to some restaurants she was not aware of previously. “It was a wonderful community event and opportunity to meet community vendors.”
Chester Rotary President Leanne Rohlk was excited to talk about something new this year. “This year we introduce custom made corn hole boards for all our title and platinum sponsors,” said Rohlk. “The boards will be hand made by our club members and then covered by professionally produced graphics with the sponsor’s name and logo.” The boards will be presented at the event and could be used by participants while enjoying good food and entertainment.
Certified professional judges for both pro and amateur competitors as well as a People’s Choice Award will be awarded for different categories. Awards include cash, trophies and custom made knives for the winning restaurants. The winners will be announced near the end of the event and prizes will be awarded for the BBQ categories of pork, chicken and beef. “The Taste of Chester” will be a single category people’s choice award.
This is not the first change for this fundraiser. Shortly after the Chester Rotary club was founded, it decided to raise money with an old-fashioned family style backyard grilling and invited the entire Chester community. Members from the club cooked hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ as well as provided the obligatory side fixings. It has since evolved into what hundreds and hundreds of patrons now enjoy.
To purchase tickets or for more information on the event, visit the club website www.chestervarotary.org or call event public relations chairpersons Tammie Hannah at 804-389-8891, or Joe Lewis at 804-285-3434. Tickets prior to the event are $20 and will be $25 at the gate. The club is offering a Military discount with proper ID. Children 10 and under eat free with a paying adult. Tickets for the event can be purchased online or by visiting any Chester area Village Bank.
