Friends, families and neighbors gathered outside of Grand Terrace City Hall to celebrate the 38th annual Grand Terrace Country Fair on Saturday. The Historical and Cultural Committee along with the city of Grand Terrace lined up local mom and pop shops as well as artists their booths outside to display their own artistic talents.
GT city clerk Deborah Thomas said that the event tries to highlight the community's imaginative side by having artists come and display their work.
“They [Grand Terrace] collects people who are versed in arts and crafts, make their own goods,” Thomas said. “They [Grand Terrace] want them to live in the city, have business in the city, or their a student who actually goes to school here who is being taught art.”
Of course no country fair would be complete without a chile cook-off and dessert bake-off. But before guest tastebuds journeyed through the chunky and savory chiles, residents moved and grooved with live music enjoying the unique visions of their neighbors.
Guests could find a range of holiday gifts and crafts, everything from Lola Hornbeck’s display of holiday apparel and bags for sale to Jennifer Wardlow’s Candleicious Candles.
Hornbeck emphasized that even though she is not from the Grand Terrace community, she feels the tight-knit bond the city has for all of its citizens. Hornbeck said that she loves catching up with her old friends and colleagues when she’s selling her clothing and goods at the fair.
The “OOOs” and “Ahhs” of fairgoers filled each of the booths as their appreciation for the genuine handcrafted works of the artists filled their hearts with amazement. Jennifer Rodriguez of The Upper Room was telling me how much it means to her to showcase her accessories before a customer interrupted with a crackling yet passionate voice gasping “OH MY GOD.” She had found the perfect Dia de Los Muertos earrings.
“That’s what it means to be here,” Rodriguez said.
The Grand Terrace Woman’s Club, who has helped put on the event since it’s beginning, sold tickets for their annual Christmas Tree fundraiser. Adele Lara of the GT Woman’s Club said that all the proceeds from their fundraiser will go back into the community.
“The proceeds from our Christmas Tree event goes to local families in need so they can have a nice Christmas,” Lara said. “We donate toys, clothing and Stater Bros. gift cards.”
When fairgoers got their fill of art, it was time they got their fill of chile before the announcement of the chile cook-off winner. Guests huddled into the dining room of city hall where the meaty, tomatoety, and beany smelling goodness danced its way up their nose, only making them crave chile even more.
“We don’t have vendors that sell food it’s usually the consent of the chile and baked goods,” Thomas said.
Samples I had:
I was able to try three of the seven chiles set to be judged and I was not disappointed with any of them.
The first chile I had was a new take on the classic recipe. The bond between a black and pinto bean is a work of beauty so I was already hooked. Paired with firm meatball chunks in a pureed tomato sauce and the mixture comes together for a chewy and tasty bite every time. This was my number 3 pick.
The second chile I sampled was a lot more free with their ingredients. This chile also had the duo of black and pinto beans along with corn for taste and jalapeños for spice. Meatball chunks also made an appearance in this chile and with its new friend, caramelized onion, the new found couple’s love only blossomed deeper with each spoonful of chile. This was my number 2 pick.
The last chile I tried ditched the chunkiness texture of the dish for a smooth, creamy chile. The chile tasted a tomato base and refried beans which added richness and depth to the texture of the chile. Less was more as I only tasted red bean and beef in this chile but the teamwork amongst all four ingredients was nothing short of perfect harmony. This was my number 1 pick.
Grand Terrace council member Jeff Allen announced the winners of the various cooking contests as the fair came to a close. Ron Martin’s chile took home first place while Tyler Loder’s chile came in a close second. Virginia Fernandez took home two first place honors for her salsa and bread, Joyce Lester’s pie stole first prize in the pie contest while Lisa Wadley’s cake took the cake. Herman Hilkey and Amy Bartels came to a first place tie when their cookies had judges loving both equally.
Lori Williams, social media specialist for the Friends of the Grand Terrace Library, was one of five judges in the contests and said the flavor of the dishes is something she emphasizes.
“The Death by Chocolate cake was like brownies but moist and chewy and it had chocolate chips in it and each bite was like ‘WHOA that’s awesome!” Williams said.
The country fair is one of the few events hosted by the historical and cultural committee that emphasizes the importance of community. Thomas said the event is for the community to come out and appreciate their historic traditions through the annual fair.
“The event shows respect for one another,” Thomas said. “Supporting your neighbor and getting to know your community. This event is a way to give back to the community as well and bring them together on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.”