Organizers promise a weekend of food, fun and games in the Malibu Knolls with a special appearance by actor and proud Malibuite Dick Van Dyke.
By Michael Aushenker / Special to The Malibu Times
Last year’s Chili Cook-Off and Carnival proved to be a transitional year, marked by growing pains when the event moved from what is today Legacy Park to its new home at Civic Center Drive and Webb Way. However, this Labor Day weekend, the Malibu Kiwanis Club’s 30th Annual Chili Cook-Off and Carnival should be, to borrow a phrase overheard at the Malibu Yacht Club, “smooth sailing.”
The local Labor Day weekend tradition will continue its mix of live music, carnival rides, games and food kiosks. The carnival and fair will open Friday at 6 p.m. The Chili Cook-Off runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday evening, actor and longtime Malibu resident Dick Van Dyke will return to conduct the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 raffle give-away. Dozens of pieces of sports memorabilia, items autographed by celebrities, professional athletes and more will be offered during the Kiwanis Club silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the Kiwanis Club of Malibu.
Last year’s event attracted about 12,000 people.
As always, judges determine the most popular chili by counting dollar bills from each Chili Cook-Off entrant for the samples sold. Last year, the festival’s centerpiece chili contest pitted 10 contestants against each other on each day of the weekend.
“It went very surprisingly well,” said John Paola, president of the Malibu Kiwanis and chairman of Chili Cook-Off, of the event’s first year in its new location. “It was more compact and more social.”
Paola last year said he was looking forward to the festival hitting the big 3-0 in 2011, and if he had learned something during the Cook-Off’s transitional year, it was to have “a little more patience.”
Last year had a hiccup of controversy. Prior to the event, residents of the hills overlooking the new site had voiced their concern regarding the festival’s new location at a recent Planning Commission hearing on Kiwanis’ permit. On the Thursday night before the event, one of the homeowners called the police to complain and succeeded in shutting down a light check.
Paola said he has taken precautions to make sure such tension does not resurface.
“It’s all over,” he said. “We sent letters within a five-mile radius [to area residents] … There hasn’t been one negative response. Everything seems to be smooth.”
Paola said there would be nothing specific to denote the Cook-Off’s 30th anniversary this year, other than another fun event as the fair returns to its new location for the second time.
“We’re trying this year to stick to local entertainment,” Paola said, as well as the vendors.
Ultimately, Paola expects an even greater turnout come Labor Day weekend than last year’s event.
“I’m looking forward to having one of the biggest years,” Paola said. “School starts earlier this year. More people will be back in town. So it should be a lot of fun.”
More information on attending or entering the Chili Cook-Off can be found online at www.malibukiwanischilicookoff.com
Live Entertainment Schedule
Saturday
10:50 a.m. Opening ceremonies will include the flag salute and the National Anthem performed by Olivia Soli and the OLM School.
11 a.m. Debra Caroway, the Ralphs Singing Checker recently featured on KCBS-TV news
11:30 a.m. Pepperdine Music Department soloists and ensembles
12 p.m. Singer/songwriter Nicole Worley, backed by the Harbor Project Band
12:30 p.m. Peter and Lilliana will present Flamenco dance and guitar.
1 p.m. Acoustic duo The David Brothers will perform original songs.
1:30 p.m. Ariell sings blues and rock standards.
2 p.m. Springhill Band
3 p.m. Julia Holland and The ‘Bu Notes…Malibu’s female singing group
4 p.m. Canadian singer/guitarist Jason Cook
5 p.m. Renee Eileen, who has a new CD, marks her debut.
5:30 p.m. PT-5 with John Keach featuring students from Oaks Christian School
Sunday
10:50 a.m. Official Welcome…The flag salute, the National Anthem sung by Danielle Youngblood, OLM School
11 a.m. TBA
11:30 a.m. Wunderkind, a band comprised of 14-year-olds with original tunes that rock
12 p.m. Mike and Sharon and The Karma Dealer’s Band
1 p.m. Hawaiian Dancers of Paradise Cove, featuring our Hawaiian Princes, Waillani
1:30 p.m. Allan Boivin Band and The Schitzophonics perform rock classics, folk and country.
2:30 p.m. Topanga, a band headed by Von Allaman, with music for children.
3 p.m. Echo Hero Kids, directed by Julia Holland. This group recently recorded a CD with Dick Van Dyke.
3:30 p.m. Singer/songwriter Trace
4 p.m. The return of Canadian performer Jason Cook.
4:30 p.m. Harsh Carpet, a rock band led by Carmen Hellwood performs.
5 p.m. Nia Peeples sings with the John Lochran Band.
5:50 p.m. Dick Van Dyke will draw the winning ticket for the car giveaway. His musical introduction (“Bert” from “Mary Poppins”) will be performed by the OLM Musical Theatre Company Ensemble.