News Features

City-Wide Yard Sale, Cook-Off Competition Arrive Saturday

    The Umatilla Public Library will host its 25th Annual City-Wide Yard Sale this Saturday, March 7. The sale will be based at the library, located at 412 Hatfield Drive, near the First Baptist Church of Umatilla, from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. There will be residential yard sales throughout the city as well as spaces at the library.
   As of Monday, organizing officials reported 40 spots will be in use at the library, and another 24 people have registered to be on the map. Additional sales not appearing on the map will likely be held throughout town.
   Printed maps will be available for a donation at the library, and several dozen yard sales will also be held at the library. The Friends of the Library will host their annual used book sale inside the library during the event. Maps will be available on Friday, March 6, at the library.
   On Saturday, the library will also play host to a food truck which will have breakfast and lunch items available.
   New this year, the library friends group is able to accept credit cards at the book sale.
   All proceeds from map and sale location donations will go to benefit the Friends of the Umatilla Library, which is dedicated to supporting Umatilla’s community library’s programs, especially the Summer Reading Program for area youth. This year’s Summer Reading Program theme will be ‘Plant A Seed, Read.’
   For more information, call 352-669-3284 or visit umatillalibrary.org/cwys.

    The Umatilla Chamber of Commerce will host its 10th Annual Chili and BBQ Cook-Off this Saturday, March 7. The event will be held in Umatilla’s Cadwell Park along Cassady Street downtown, and will feature over a dozen entries vying for bragging rights and cash prizes.
   The family-friendly event will feature samplings of BBQ pulled pork, ribs, and chili. Live entertainment will be provided by the Time Machine Band, and children can enjoy a free petting zoo and face painting. There will be bounce houses and inflatable games, as well.
   As is the tradition, there will also be a hog calling contest, as well as prize raffles and a traditionally lucrative 50-50 drawing.
   Both the Umatilla Kiwanis Club and the Umatilla High School Project Graduation Committee are scheduled to take part in the event, as well.
   Gates open at 4 p.m., with sampling continuing until prizes are awarded near 8 p.m. Attendees will be invited to vote for People’s Choice winners, and there will additionally be private judging in each category.
   Entry is $15 for adults, and $7 per child ages 6-13. Children ages 5 and under are admitted for free.
   There is still time to join the fun. If you would like to enter a team, contact Jenny Bryan at 352-636-4893 or Lisa Neuman at 352-516-3013. For additional information, call the chamber office at 352-669-3511.
   The Chili Cook-Off carries sponsorship from The City of Umatilla, RCM Utilities, Duke Energy, Nena’s Wings and Things, A/C Pros, Bubba’s Site Work, Magnolia Closing, Smith Fence, Crossroads 44, Specialty Concrete Services, and Action Graphix.