RSS Pony up: It’s Rodeo Week
By Doni Greenberg • May 16th, 2008 • Category: THOUGHT: What's on Doni's mind
I moved to Redding when I was 5, so I’m familiar with the whole Rodeo Week thing. But I always wonder what goes through the minds of Redding newcomers and visitors who experience Rodeo Week and all its activities for the first time.
What do they think of the Asphalt Cowboys, those north state businessmen who wear yellow shirts and green neckerchiefs, many of whom don’t even ride horses (the guys, not the neck scarves)?
What do they think of the pancake breakfast, served to more than 10,000 people who invade downtown Redding and turn former streets into pedestrian-only zones known as Roaring Gulch just once a year?
What do they think of absurdly disguised Lone Stranger bandits who rob banks where nobody dials 911 because everyone’s laughing and pointing?
What do they think when they walk inside the Mt. Shasta Mall and see it’s been taken over by a mob of costumed little kids, accompanied by every kind of animal - from the smallest worm to the biggest pony - and it’s not even Halloween?
These thoughts occurred to me Wednesday evening at the Redding Rodeo Grounds where I helped judge the chili cook-off with my esteemed fellow judges: Bob Van Horn, president of the Redding Rodeo Association; Dan Flynn, Shasta County assistant district attorney; Chita Johnson, of KRCR-TV’s weather team; and Kathy Pfrimmer of Kent’s Meats & Groceries/Kathy’s Deli (by the way, Kathy and her husband Kent were this year’s Chamber of Commerce Business Persons of the Year).
This was my second year to judge the Asphalt Cowboy’s chili contest. In previous years I’ve judged the Kiddie Pet Parade.
Let me tell you, sitting down and judging a dozen or so chili samples is far easier than trolling the mall with clipboards, judging hundreds of adorable, dressed-up children under the watchful eyes of about 1,000 protective, emotionally charged parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and just as many animals. On deadline. Bring your scoopers, Tylenol and Kleenex.
Asphalt Cowboy Robert Zitek, who chaired the chili cook-off, gets an A+ for organization. He sent multiple e-mails before the event. And on Wednesday, the day of the cook-off, he had all our place cards, cups, spoons and scoring paper ready. He and his Asphalt Cowboy helpers quickly served up the 13 chili contenders to us judges and made sure we knew which number was which.
Yes, 13 different chili recipes. Yup. Lucky 13.
All were different. Some had multiple bean varieties. Others had no beans at all(technically, real chili is sans beans). Some were super spicy. Others were mighty mild. One was a green chili version, which at least one judge thought was an automatic disqualifier. (This is the second year I’ve observed the green chili controversy. My advice for future chili-contest hopefuls: Skip the chili verde and stick with the classics.)
In the end, No. 1 - the first chili we sampled - won. It was complex and had just the right amount of a kick to remind you it was chili, but it wasn’t so hot that it burned out all the other flavors.
Apparently, its creator, Rod Judson of Red Bluff, is a frequent chili cook-off winner.
After the chili cook-off, I wandered around and took in the sights.
Stacks of cowboy hats.
A boatload of people trying to win money for their favorite cause via a Q-97 FM’s “Live In It To Win It” event.
Lots and lots of cute kids.
Maybe they’ll grow up with fond memories of Rodeo Week.
Maybe one day they’ll find themselves wondering what newcomers and visitors make of it.
Doni…I too grew up in Redding and watched the rodeo grow through the years from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo to what is now the Redding Rodeo Association. I’ve had good friends who have been Asphalt cowboys, those good time guys who love to have a good time and provide all the extra events leading up to Rodeo such as the mock bank hold up and the chase for the loot. One of my long time high school buddies, Duane Tomei, was one of the “bandits” who robbed the bank. Who would’ve known?
It’s a good time for everyone who gets involved. I enjoy that “Roarin Gulch” pancake feed on Market Street and seeing friends I haven’t seen in a while.
This is a rodeo that pro cowboys won’t miss and many fly in to participate every year.
This year’s grand Marshall of the parade, Ron Lillard, is also a friend who I worked with at KVIP TV when he was a sportscaster for Redding’s first TV station. That was when Dee Domke was a front desk secretary for channel 7.
Long live the Redding Rodeo. It’s an historic event.
Doni…It Looks and sounds like you had a good time judging the Chili at the rodeo. Yum, I love chili.
I too grew up in these parts and watched the town of Redding turn into a wild western community during rodeo week. First known as the Shasta County Sheriff’s posse Rodeo and then The Redding Rodeo Association, 60 years is a long time to carry on a tradition.
The PRCA brings in the top cowboys and cowgirls from all over country who don’t want to miss it and the top prizes it brings.
Some of my friends have been Asphalt cowboys over the years such as Duane Tomei who was one of those desperado “lone Strangers’ who robbed the bank and hid the loot.
This year’s grand marshall of the Parade on Saturday, Ron Lillard, is also a friend. Ron, who announces the rodeo each year, was the first sports director of Redding’s first tv station, KVIP. That was when Dee Domke was the front desk secretary and George Fleharty was manager.
Long live the Redding rodeo. It’s quite a show!
Doni,
The green chilli is my husband’s recipe. He won the first chilli cook off with the same green chilli. The rules do not state that green chilli is not allowed. It took him 2 1/2 days to prepare 5 plus gallons of his chilli verde. There is not one canned item in his chilli. Every ingredient is fresh. Last year he was disqualified because there were no beans in his chilli, this year the rules changed and chilli entries did not have to have beans. Now it seems that he has been disqualified for the chilli being green? You know, we were disappointed briefly when they announced the winners, but just briefly. He was the true winner, he made almost seven gallons, and at the end, we had only aprox 6 cups left. If there was a true peoples choice award (they need to change how they do that part!), he would have won it hands down. The compliments and people coming back for 2nd’s and 3rd’s really made him feel like the winner.
Dear Erika, I know your husband worked hard on his chili, and it was very good. Please don’t misunderstand the part where I said at least one judge thought the green chili was an automatic disqualifier. ONE judge thought that, but that judge’s opinion had nothing to do with the over-all, individual voting. It was all strictly by the numbers: Each chili could receive a maximum of 10 points, or as few as one point. The winners were those with the most points.
I know how much time, effort and money is involved in entering a contest like that. I really appreciate your husband and all the chili cooks for helping make Rodeo Week so delicious.
Take care. Doni