Mutton busters Chunks of lamb chowed for big prize By Ryan Chalk Article Launched: 07/20/2008 07:17:33 AM PDT var requestedWidth = 0;
if(requestedWidth Marilyn Wire, of Ponderosa, takes a moment to sit with Mac and Buck, her St. Croix Sheep who participated in the sheep showing competition at the Lambtown Festival. (Ryan Chalk/RChalk@TheReporter.com) if(requestedWidth > 0){ document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.width = requestedWidth + "px"; document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.margin = "0px 0px 10px 10px"; }
Don't think about anything and just eat." Those were the words of Dixon resident Chris Kilkenny after winning Lambtown's first rib eating contest, netting him $300 in cash. Over 100 pounds of lamb riblets were prepared by Cliff Foulk and his crew from Superior Farms for the event which saw eight competitors take to a stage for nine minutes shoveling lamb into their faces. At the other end of the stage was Charlie Lanfranco of Davis, who is no stranger to competitive eating competitions. His wife Melanie proudly pointed out he came in second during the California Strawberry Pie Eating Contest of 2002 in Watsonville, prior to the start of the event. "Look at those cheeks," said Melanie as Charlie began tearing into tin of ribs. "Think Chris Kilkenny, of Dixon, stands triumphant after winning a rib eating contest which debuted at the annual Lambtown Festival. (Ryan Chalk/RChalk@TheReporter.com) strategy! Take out the ones with biggest bones first! It'll weigh less," she cheered. After the rib eating contest, crowds dispersed to some of the more traditional aspects of the venerable event which marked its 22nd year, and first year back at the Dixon May Fair grounds after a brief stop in Dixon's Hall Park last year. Visitors had to carefully plan their schedules as the event offered plenty to see, such as the sheep shearing and show, sheep dog trials, craft booths, along with wool vendors and spinning competitions. Under a tent sat a handful of ladies who called themselves the Del Oro Spinners and Weavers Guild-their antique spinning wheels going round and round. "This gives us a reason to get together, eat, talk and have Advertisement GetAd('tile','box','/home_article','','www.thereporter.com','','null','null'); fun," said guild member Wendy Brown of Sutter Creek. "You get a chance to meet a lot of people and let them know there's another way of getting your clothes than going to Wal-Mart