Brats come out for Hoopfest

Get a big taste of Johnsonville brats at Hoopfest.

The world’s largest barbecue will be parked behind Moons near Spokane Falls Boulevard between Stevens and Washington streets from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The grill is 65 feet long and weighs 53,000 pounds.

It takes 12 grillmasters to crank out 750 brats at a time, or about 2,500 in an hour.

The Johnsonville Big Taste Grill requires a semitruck to haul it from town to town and it will visit more than 100 cities this year.

Johnsonville has been making sausage since 1945 and the grill was built in 1995 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Proceeds from bratwurst sales at Hoopfest will support Boy Scouts of America and other local charities and nonprofit groups.

To take a gander at this grill before it arrives, go to: www3.Johnsonville.com/ bigtastegrill/.

Picking and pie

The Dominion Mountain Bluegrass Association is hosting a pie baking contest during its annual Red, White and Bluegrass Family Pickin’ Party.

The party will be held June 30 through July 2 at the Stevens County Fairgrounds in Colville Tickets are $5 for adults and $15 for families.

The pie contest is July 1 at 4 p.m.

Baked and cooled pies must be registered at the judges’ table next to Center Stage between 3 and 3:45 p.m.

Fruit and berry pies are encouraged. After the pies have been judged the fruit and berry pies will be wrapped and auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Cream and custard pies cannot be sold, according to the Northeast Tri-County Health Department regulations.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Dominion Mountain Bluegrass Association scholarship fund.

Winners will receive $100, $50 and $25 gift cards from Wal-Mart.

For more information call Connie Cobb at (509) 684-1234 or (509) 680-2042.