Quartzsite- The Quartzsite Chili Cook-off, sponsored by the Arizona Centennial Committee of Quartzsite was originally planned for Feb. 26th, but was postponed due to weather. On Saturday, March 5th the Chili Cook-off joined forces with Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite's 2nd Annual Rock Auction for a new successful event for the community!
Every cook entering was a winner! With the change of date and the new venue, organizers were surprised with the wonderful turnout. Hungry folks arrived all afternoon to taste the delicious entries. "It's another beautiful event for Quartzsite!" said Jerry Lukkasson, the event coordinator. "Looks like everyone had a fun afternoon!"
This year, the organizers held a beer garden, using the almost completed "Snack Shack" being built with donated funds from local businesses, residents, and snowbirds. The cooks and vendors set up on the football field, with lots room for all the other activities.
Quartzsite Rotary held a raffle, AZ Centennial souvenior hats and bags were available for sale. There were vendors, a Penny Auction, and the debut of the AZ Centennial Quilt made by local quilters was on display. The beautifully detailed quilt will be on display throught the year at each of the AZ Centennial events. Raffle tickets can be purchased for only $1 or 6 tickets for $5! The drawing for the Quilt will be held at the AZ Centennial Finale Event in February, 2012. You've got to see this quilt! Buy a ticket and it can be all yours! Proceeds will support the Centennial Lasting Legacy Project.
PNQ's Rock Auction raised over $2600 this year, a 25% increase over last year's event. Dean Taylor won the bidding for the first Rock Art Piece, painted by J. Foster Stoltz. His winning bid of $300 will be donated to the Children's Playground at the park. The sale of the two Rock Art Pieces painted by local Elementary School children raised $375 for a Children's Art Fund. Those two pieces were purchased by Susan Cushman and Patricia Anderson, and both buyers donated the rock art to be in locations where the children will continue to see their beautiful work on display: One will be located at Quartzsite Elementary School and the other will be on display at the Children's Library. The other fourteen Rock Art Pieces were delivered on Sunday to their new loving homes!
A huge thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make this such a wonderful event! Next year will only get better!
Thank you Quartzsite for making the Chili Cook-off and Rock Auction a huge success!
Local Senior Artists painted small rocks all year for the silent auction! Thank you everyone for your participation! We thought we had around 30, but ended up with 60! Many folks got to take home these treasures and raised funds for Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite!
