DIXON, CA (MPG) - Get ready for the grills to fire up and the aroma of barbecued pork ribs to fill the air at the 11th annual Grillin’ and Chillin’ on Saturday, July 16, in downtown Dixon. The free event will take up the entire downtown with a car show, the cook-off, food and craft vendors, live music, and dancing from 10 AM to 10 PM

Mike Hamilton, 11-year Event Chair was thrilled to have the support of the City of Dixon which will be assisting with roads blocked off, traffic control, and security.

“City Council and City Staff are completely behind this,” he said. “It’s been excellent team work. I have no complaints and that takes a lot for me to say. I’m impressed how well they got behind this.”

There will be three bands performing throughout the day on the new Pardi Plaza Stage; a country band, and two rock & roll bands. There is still a bit of time to enter the Rib Cook Off and folks can go online to fill out their entry information to compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place which includes money and a plaque or trophy.

“We’re going to have beautiful fancy cars and lots of things for the kids to do and great music and just chill out. Bring your own chairs because we only have so many,” he said. The children’s area will feature pony rides and water slides, plus Smokey the Bear is supposed to be there.

Bringing the community together is just a side benefit to the real goal of being able to help support Dixon’s nonprofits, Hamilton explained.

“People have been wanting this for two years so this is their chance to support the veterans, special needs, senior citizens, and kids programs,” he said. “Over the years we have given away more than $300,000, but we always have to have seed money. It gets tough; that’s why anything helps. We are a non-profit and no one gets paid for doing this.” 

Free parking is available across the street from the Post Office, behind the school district building, at the Chamber of Commerce and at the field there.

Hamilton gave a shout out to several volunteers such as Leah Marlin of the American Legion Post 208, Jack Caldwell of California Water, Michael Hamilton Jr., Carla, and Shaun"'the list was growing long.

“We have other great people like Mark Jones of Country Bear Electric and Frank Lopez for the bounce houses and all the veterans and the soccer parents. Soccer parents are cleaning the streets afterwards and running the beer booths,” he added.