Thirteen was anything but an unlucky number for the Similkameen Sizzlefest, which took place for the thirteenth time on Saturday, September 20.
Exceptionally blue skies and late summer temperatures soaring into the high twenties brought hundreds of people to Memorial Park to sample chile, entertain the kids or soak up the Similkameen sunshine.
A line up of free entertainment that included the Corner Turtles, Mat Duffus, the Blackbirds, and XLR8ER provided a musical backdrop for a wide and varied number of concessions and vendors.
“It’s great so far, “ said Infocentre manager Colleen Christensen, “the weather is perfect, we’ve had a great turnout of vendors and chili cookoff participants.”
This year’s chili cookoff saw five participants vying for best chili. Riverside RV Park Resort, Shore Farms Fresh Organic Vegetables, Valu Plus Hot Mamas the Grist Mill and Shayna and Shulman took part in the cook off, with first timers Valu Plus Hot Mamas prevailing with first place honours. Shayna and Shulman came third, while Shore Farms took second spot.
Children enjoyed the music of Mat Duffus in addition to the climbing wall and bouncy fire truck set up in the park.Similkameen Elmenetary Secondary School grad class me members provided some volunteer support, as did Keremeos roylal Ambassadors, who also worked the Sizzlefest vendor tent, selling T-shirts and other souvenir items.
The Keremeos Search and Rescue team were also on hand promoting their volunteer efforts through the sale of T-shirts.
Saturday was an event filled day in the Lower Similkameen. As the Sizzlefest wound down in late afternoon, Crowsnest Winery began their Oktoberfest evening, with a special dinner at the Cawston winery.
The Grist Mill played host to a Saturday evening “Kitchen Party” in the summer kitchen, providing a evening of Celtic entertainment with Jocelyn Petit and the Petit band.