(Riverton, WY ) – County 10’s 3rd Annual Dad Olympics and the 2nd Annual Porter’s GRILLED competition once again provided Father’s Day weekend fun for all in the Porter’s Mountain View Supply parking lot, where attendees got to enjoy free burgers and hot dogs, a kids carnival/bouncy house, and a live viewing of events/challenges.
The 2024 festivities grew from last year, which had just over 300 attendees, with about 550 plates of food given out and served up this year, all by the Porter’s staff.
Following the free food, kids fun, raffles and laughs from MC Charene “The Adventure Queen” Herrera, it was time for the Porter’s GRILLED competition, which is modeled after the popular reality TV competition Chopped.
The challenge involves three contestants who are tasked with creating a delicious burger for three judges, using ingredients they just found out about moments beforehand (including an extra special mystery ingredient specific to each challenger), all in under 30 minutes.
This year’s contestants included smokemaster Mike Chingman, Dead & Gone in Wyoming podcast host and County 10’s own Scott Fuller, and Officer Bart Schwegler, one the Riverton Police Department’s newest additions to the force.
As per contest rules/tradition, one of the challengers had to pull straws, and whoever got the short straw had to use the small camping grill.
The size of the grill didn’t matter this year though, because the early favorite to win the competition, Mike Chingman, drew the short straw, and still went on to win the whole shebang.
His secret ingredient was dried dates, while Officer Schwegler had rhubarb, and Fuller was tasked with using fried pork rinds.
Jack Lackey from the Midvale Station, Staff Sergeant Michael Mckeon from the U.S. Marines, and County 10 reporter/former GRILLED competitor Vince Tropea were the judges this year, and all agreed that while each of the contestants did an amazing job, Chingman’s burger was just a cut above, so he walked home with the prize package and bragging rights.
The fun didn’t end there though, following the battle of the burgers, County 10’s Dad Olympics once again proved which Riverton dad has the skills needed to earn the title of “#1 Dad.”
This year’s fatherly Olympians included Jonathan Dill, Rex Curry, Riverton Mayor Tim Hancock, Christopher McAdams and Spencer Clark.
Competitors had multiple events they had to complete in the fastest time, ranging from tying a tie, hula-hooping, baiting a hook, sinking a cornhole shot while holding a beer bottle, and the most popular event by far; the dirty diaper changing station (we’ll never look at chocolate hazelnut spread the same way ever again…).
This year’s big winner (who walked home with a brand new armchair courtesy of Gamble’s in Lander) didn’t win by much, but he may have had an edge with his cheering section; Riverton Mayor Tim Hancock!
All in all it was another successful year, and Porter’s Staff and the County 10 crew that made it happen are already looking forward to next year! Will YOU be the #1 Dad Olympian or grillmaster for 2025?
Porter’s Supply Co. in Riverton and County 10 would like to thank all of those who attended/participated in the events, as well as the following sponsors/contributors: Pepsi, Bunk’s BBQ, Gambles, Franks Butcher Shop and the Key Club of Riverton.