Ace Hardware of Warsaw has donated a Weber Genesis special edition grill for the silent auction that is part of the annual Blue Jeans and BBQ Gala to benefit Combined Community Services.
From left are Josh Lainez of Ace Hardware; Jerry Ouding of The Spice Merchants and Olive Branch; John Tucker, Dane Miller and Gordy Clemens, celebrity chefs for the BBQ event; and Steve Possell, executive director of CCS. Also sponsoring the grill donation is Rockhill Pinnick LLC, Warsaw. (Photo by Stacey Page)

It’s back!  Combined Community Services is thrilled to announce its second annual Blue Jeans and BBQ Gala coming up on Saturday, June 22, at 7 p.m.

Three local celebrity chefs will face off in a barbeque challenge at Combined Community Services on Mariners Drive in Warsaw. Dane Miller of the Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation Inc., John Tucker of Maple Leaf, and local celebrity Gordy Clemons will each prepare competition samplings for ticket holders to enjoy.

The general public is invited to vote for their favorite celebrity chef by visiting combinedcommunityservices.org and clicking to vote. Chef Scott Woods of Noa Noa Sushi Bar will provide a “country picnic” buffet again this year for dinner, and the Downtown Eatery and Spirits will provide the cash bar with signature cocktails and beer. This year’s event will also feature a new signature dessert.

Up for auction will be some new and seen-before auction items including a Weber Genesis gas grill sponsored by Ace Hardware of Warsaw and Rockhill Pinnick LLP; a custom cornhole set; a pub crawl experience including the Downtown, the Beer Garden at Cerulean, and others in addition to transportation provided by Fast Cabs/White Diamond; “Lunch with the Mayor,” and more.

This year’s silent auction will also offer cowboy hats personally designed by Mary Louise Miller and Indiana’s First Lady, Karen Pence, and a fresh vegetable share from J.L. Hawkins Family Farm.

The event will also feature the Bekah Bradley Band with pop country recording artist Bekah Bradley.  Parking for the event is available at Harrison Elementary School and shuttle service will be provided to the venue.

This year, event organizers have even added a few other details to make the evening an even better experience. In addition to bringing back great food, auction items, the barbeque challenge and a great cause, the evening will also offer cornhole and horseshoe tournaments, a live auction and the opportunity to purchase special spice mixes used by the chefs in the competition, provided by The Spice Merchant in The Village at Winona Lake.

The Blue Jeans and BBQ Gala is an example of community vendors working together to support CCS. “We are also blessed again this year to have the assistance of Grace Whalen, Whalen Creative Group, in coordinating the event,” said Dana Leon, one of the event organizers. “We are so excited to see all of the details for the event coming together. We want people to come and enjoy some great food, auction items, visit with friends and neighbors in the community and enjoy the band.

“We want the event to be a fun experience for everyone, and the details are what we hope make the event a success. No one will leave hungry, and we hope everyone enjoys the night. Most importantly of all, however, proceeds from the event will support Combined Community Services in its mission to provide comfort, hope and resources for neighbors in need.”

For more information on the offerings for June 22 at the Blue Jeans and BBQ Gala for Combined Community Services, visit combinedcommunityservices.org or visit the CCS Facebook page.

Voting is now open online for your favorite celebrity chef.

Tickets for the June 22 event are $50 each and can be ordered online, by mail or by visiting Combined Community Services Inc. at 1195 Mariners Dr., in Warsaw, or by calling 574-269-6019, ext. 229.