LATHROP – Just who does cook the best chicken and ribs in Lathrop?

On Saturday, July 16, that question will be answered at the third annual “Day of Champions” BBQ competition and festival at Valverde Park. The event, organized by the Lathrop Senior Advisory Commission, is expected to draw upwards of 1,000 people who want to see who has the best “BBQing” technique.

And everybody will be gunning for Lathrop resident Dixie Chaney. She’s the two-time defending rib champion that entered the contest the first year on a tip from her son who was serving in Iraq at the time.

“We’re hoping that we can make this a regional event that will continue to draw more people every year to Lathrop,” said Senior Center Manager Chris Lawrence. “We know that we have a great location and we have a great idea, and we think that this could be something that could continue to grow.”

As far as the competition goes, however, it’ll be reserved for local entrants who want to show their stuff for a hand-picked group of judges that will sample the chicken and the ribs and determine the winner.

 With two categories – chicken and ribs – grillers will all be given the same amount of time to use their skills to cook the perfect batch. All of the meat must be inspected and must be “naked” at the beginning of the competition.

Bragging rights are on the line, and they go a long ways with the summer grilling season starting to ramp up here in the Central Valley.

“It’s a lot of fun and it’s something that a lot of folks like to come out and enjoy,” said Senior Advisory Commission member Rev. Lou Davis. “It’s something that the folks who participate take seriously, but it’s something that they have fun doing as well. It’s a good event for Lathrop.”

While it will only be the judges that get to sample the barbecue that’s grilled up during the event, Fagundes Meats and Catering from Manteca will be on hand to serve a meal of either a rib or chicken plate that includes the entrée plus potato salad, beans, a roll, a slice of watermelon and drink for $7, or a sausage specialty meal that comes with all of the same sides, for $5. A hot dog meal that includes a hot dog, potato chips and a drink is available for $3.

The event will take place at Valverde Park on July 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsors that help make the event possible include the J.R. Simplot Company, Allied Waste Services, Walgreens, Home Depot, Fagundes Meats and Catering, Famous Dave’s BBQ Restaurant, Living Word Ministries, Lathrop Christian Center, Delta Power Sports, Holiday Inn Express, City of Lathrop, Lathrop Sunrise Rotary, the Lathrop Lions Club and the Service Employees International Union.

The fee to participate is $25 for either ribs or chicken or $30 for both, and people can sign up by calling (209) 941-7380.