Chefs needed for ‘It’s All in the Sauce’ contest
WATSONVILLE — The “It’s All in the Sauce” contest held during the annual Testicle Festival is reaching out to all amateur and commercial chefs.
The sauces are prepared to be enjoyed with the rocky mountain oysters. The two divisions allow for home cooks and restaurants to compete in different categories.
Anyone interested in competing needs to bring one quart of their sauce to the event by 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26. Entry forms will be provided at the event. Everyone who attends the event has a chance to vote on their favorite sauce.
The Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau Ninth Annual Testicle Festival will be held Aug. 26 at 3 p.m. at Estrada’s Deer Camp in Watsonville. The price that includes the rocky mountain oysters and full chicken barbecue dinner is $50 for adults, $20 for children ages 5-12 and free for children under 5.
The event will have a raffle, live and silent auction as well as a horseshoe contest for adults and children.
Loretta Estrada will be preparing the rocky mountain oysters and Derek Witmer will be barbecuing the chicken.
For tickets to the Testicle Festival, call the Agri-Culture office at 722-6622 or visit www.eventbrite.com (search for “9th Annual Testicle Festival” in Watsonville).
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Burrito Bash seeks vendors, restaurants
WATSONVILLE — The Third Annual Burrito Bash is returning to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds on Oct. 15 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
This event is sponsored by the Freedom and Watsonville Rotary Clubs and will feature the Best Burrito on the Central Coast with the winner taking home a grand prize.
The Burrito Bash will also include a car show with classic cars and hot rods, live music by Keith Greeninger and The Ville, mariachi by Mariachi Orgullo, a jalapeño eating contest, children’s area with activities, and vendors with local artistry and products.
The music this year will highlight Keith Greeninger and his band. Greeninger, a local rock and roller and crooner, sells out the Rio Theater and performs across the continent. The event will also see the local Watsonville group, The Ville, performing Latin rock and soul as well as Cumbias.
Admission is $5, and parking is free.
Vendors and restaurants are sought to compete in the event. Various levels of sponsorships are available.
All funds raised go to the two Rotary Clubs who provide support to local projects including scholarships, books, and local nonprofits.
For information, visit www.burritobash.com.
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‘Our Community Reads’ project introduced to Aptos
APTOS — On Aug. 9, more than 40 members of the community gathered at the Aptos library. A new program, “Our Community Reads,” was unveiled by members of the Friends of the Aptos Library.
Five books were presented as candidates for a program that is designed to bring members of the community together around one book. Guests were asked to vote for their top three choices from a list of five: “The Map that Changed the World,” by Simon Winchester; “Half Earth,” by Edward O. Wilson; “The Boys in the Boat,” by Daniel James Brown; “Born a Crime,” by Trevor Noah; and “The Radium Girls,” by Kate Moore.
After the chosen book is revealed, community members and area schools will be encouraged to read it and participate in planned activities centered on the themes of the book. Events such as film, art, music, exhibitions, discussions, author visits and other activities will be offered to all members of the community.
The result of the vote was a tie. The chosen book will be announced soon.
For information on how to become involved in the planning and roll-out of this program, contact Denise Ward at
fr**********************@fs***.org
or visit friendsofaptoslibrary.weebly.com.
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Pool party benefits recreation programs
SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter and Santa Cruz County Parks Department will present the third annual Parks & Rex Pool Party on Aug. 26 from noon-4 p.m. at Simpkins Family Swim Center, 979 17th Ave. in Santa Cruz.
This year, dogs will be able to go for a dip in the larger warm-water pool and enjoy other activities, including a day-spa (featuring mani-pedi services) and games such as bobbing for hot dogs.
Activities for adults include poolside music, swimming, beer and wine from New Bohemia Brewing Company and Soquel Vineyards, a raffle and chair massages.
Kids’ activities include Walking-on-Water Balls, a jump house, an inflatable obstacle course, stand-up paddle boards, a climbing wall, inner tubes and a waterslide.
Food will also be available, including made-to-order grilled pizzas, a variety of salads, and Marianne’s Ice Cream.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Santa Cruz County Youth Recreation Programs and Animal Welfare Programs.
Tickets are $15 for adults 21 and older, and $5 for youths. Children under 3 and dogs get in free. Day-of tickets are $17 for adults and $7 for youths.
To purchase tickets, visit Simpkins Family Swim Center or www.scparks.com.
