Taste of Merced County and Beyond: Barbecue chefs wanted

The Blazin' Hog BBQ Competition and Zydeco Music Festival is looking for barbecue competitors for its second annual event.

It will be at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds from noon to 8 p.m. on Sept. 20. Contestants will compete in three categories -- beef tri-tip, pork ribs and chicken -- for a $500 first prize, $250 second prize, $100 third prize and $100 people's choice award. Their food will be evaluated by a panel of judges and the tasting public.

The stage will again feature Zydeco dance music from Valley and Bay Area recording artists, and arts and crafts vendors will display their unique items.

Dhyana Levey -

Admission will be $10, with discounts for seniors and children.

Proceeds benefit the John C. Fremont Hospital Foundation. For more information, visit www.blazinhog.com or call (209) 966-3994.

MERCED

Celebrate with pasta

St. Patrick's Community Parish Festival Weekend will host a pasta kickoff dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

There will also be a breakfast at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, and a festival that day until 3 p.m.

Both meals are $6 for adults and $3 for children younger than 10.

For more information, call (209) 722-8619 or (209) 383-3924.

MERCED

Ice cream social

The Merced Theatre Foundation will host an ice cream social, courtesy of Baskin Robbins, at 6 p.m. June 14 in front of the theater.

Come for a fun family event with music, food, games and a drawing for a 2008 Honda Civic LX, courtesy of Merced Honda.

MERCED

Enjoy barbecue

The Cornerstone Lodge No. 111 will host its third barbecue of the year from noon to 5 p.m. June 14 at 4246 W. Highway 140 in Merced.

Dine on barbecue chicken or ribs cooked by Clemon Howell. Sides will be made by other lodge members. Sit down and eat or take the food to go.

Tickets are $12 and can be purchased from any lodge member. After this event, the barbecue will take a couple of months off. Look for it again in September.

For more information, call (209) 756-0351 or (209) 261-8588.

ATWATER

Wine tasting with aircraft

The Castle-Kiwanis Club and the Castle Air Museum will present a Wine Tasting Festival among the aircraft of Castle Air Museum, 5050 Santa Fe Drive in Atwater.

The event will include wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, music and a fine art show from 4 to 8 p.m. June 14. Admission is $25 per person.

For more information, call (209)761-5085 or visit www.elite.net/castle-air/winetasting.

MERCED

Drive-through dining

The Merced Elks Lodge will host a drive through dining experience from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on June 18 at the Elks Lodge, 1910 M St.

For $10 customers will get a juicy pork loin, scalloped potatoes, green beans, salad and a roll. Proceeds with benefit Elks' charities such as scholarships, Challenged Children, youth activities and Veterans Services.

For more information, call (209)723-1240.

If you'd like to submit information for Taste of Merced County e-mail dlevey@mercedsun-star.com or send a fax to (209) 385-2460.