Ribs & Chili are the Name of the Game

    The rib and chili cook-off is the show case of Hog August Bites held in downtown Rio Vista with the beautiful Sacramento River as the backdrop for the day.

Chili cookers are hard to come by. Of course cooking 5 gallons of chili outdoors isn’t the easiest thing to do and can be a little daunting for the beginner. However, everyone gets their start somewhere and Hog August Bites is the perfect starting point. It’s all about the taste and the heat! Dave Allen, this year’s Chili Coordinator is bringing juried chili judging to the event. Chili contestants will have the opportunity to be judged by both the crowd and some “official” judges. You can purchase your chili tasting tickets at the Chili & Rib Tasting Ticket table at 45 Main Street or the RioVision booth on Main Street. The chili tasting kits are $10 each and you get the opportunity to sample each chili offering. Chili tasting begins at noon and lasts until about 2:30.

Rib cookers will be busy smoking and grilling ribs on every conceivable type of bar-b-que. There’s pellet stoves, smokers and huge trailers that will be located on Main and Front Street. Most of the rib cooks really love to chat with folks walking through. Can’t you just smell those awesome aromas intermingling? We always have new contestants throwing their ribs onto the grill from not only Rio Vista, but all over the Bay Area, the Delta and beyond.

Ribs are judged by a panel of Rio Vista VIP’s who are led by Kansas City BBQ Society Master Judge Tracy Allen. While Hog August Bites is not a KCBS event, it does abide by the all the rules. The ribs are submitted in numbered containers to retain anonymity and are evaluated on texture, flavor and appearance.

Most of the contestants also participate in the popular “People’s Choice Rib Tasting”. At 3:00 pm the people’s judging begins at 45 Main and is usually concluded by 5:30 pm. buy your tickets from the Chili & Rib Tasting Booth located at Main & Front Streets on the corner. You’ll have three choices for the rib tasting. Buy a $15 kit and you will receive 3 ribs and $30 gets you 10 ribs.

There’s still time to sign up as a contestant to cook ribs and/or chili. Yes, some contestants cook both! You can also sign up for the car show or to be a vendor. Signing up is easy at our website http://hogaugustbites.com. Follow us at Hog August Bites on our Facebook page for the latest in information including exciting raffle items! Tickets will be going on sale soon.

Net proceeds for the event will benefit the Rio Vista High School Booster Club to purchase a third van to transport students to scholastic and athletic events. The Egbert Field Restoration Project will also benefit with new bleachers and a handicap table and the Sharks Swim Team will receive a contribution, too .

RioVision is a citizen driven 501(C)(3) non-profit organization working to bring about city wide revitalization. For more information check out our webpage at riovision.net or our Facebook or Instagram pages.