Annual wild game dinner huge success
Maria Herlo from Chicago served guests an appetizer of venison sausage and cheeses at the wild game dinner held at the Chili Crossroads Bible Church on Saturday, Feb. 24. Jen Jones | Beacon
FRESNO – Pouring rain didn’t keep the crowds away from Chili Crossroad Bible Church’s annual wild game dinner held Saturday, Feb. 24. The event is so popular that this year, the church decided to serve two meals, at noon and 5 p.m. Both dinners sold out quickly and at the noon dinner, more tables were being added wherever room could be found for all of the people who walked in and didn’t have tickets.
Pastor Neal Dearyan said 240 tickets were sold for each meal and more people were coming in. “I think people look forward to this because they’ve been cooped up all winter and are ready for some fun. We make delicious food and try to make sure everyone has a great time while they are here. The awesome people of this church are the secret sauce to doing both of those.”
Guests were seated at long tables and the food is served family style. “We buy the food from Louisiana if someone doesn’t donate it. FHFH (Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry) donated 120 lbs of venison, so we have 1,000 BBQ venison meatballs. I am so grateful to the amazing community we live in for their support and donations for door prizes.”
Besides the meatballs, guests could choose to sample alligator nuggets, bison sliders, pheasant and noodles, turtle soup, moose slices and mule deer/pronghorn antelope chili. They could also choose slices of the church’s famous pizza, coleslaw, baked beans and rolls.
Several people brought chili to compete in the chili cook-off and an atomic wing contest was also held. Celebrity judges, including several elected officials, would be deciding the wing contest, while everyone attending the event could choose their favorite chili.
Matt Skarke, one of the many church members who was helping at the event, said, “Personally, I hope everyone who attends enjoys the message and has fun.” He also said that he was so busy he hadn’t tasted any of the offerings, yet, but knew that the food would be delicious as always. “I think if we knocked a wall down and doubled the size of this room, we could fill that room, too.”
“As we close each meal, we will be selling tickets for our 2019 dinner already. We also want to invite the community to our second annual turkey calling contest that will be held on Saturday, March 10. Tickets can be purchased at Woodbury, at the church or at www.ohioturkeycalling.com,” said Pastor Neal.
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