The Centralia Chamber of Commerce is taking a swig of sauce. Barbecue sauce that is.

After several tentative starts over the years the chamber has committed to hosting a barbecue contest in downtown Centralia, Saturday, Oct. 16.

Grills would be set up on the streets encircling the square, said Ginny Zoellers, director of the Centralia Chamber of Commerce.

The event has three chairmen, Richard Dickerson, Matt Stephens and Jim Coleman.

At the moment there are four categories planned: Chicken, hamburgers, pork steak and an open category.

Zoellers said there was no fee structure set yet. "We want to keep it affordable and have the feel of a backyard barbecue so that everybody feels they can participate."

This is not the first time the chamber has contemplated a barbecue contest, but it will be the first time one has come to pass.

The Centralia Fair hosted a barbecue contest two years ago as part of the fair.

Another aspect under discussion, said Zoellers, is a pie contest.

"There’s a lot of good local cooks here," said Dickerson. "But maybe barbecue is not their thing, this would give them a chance to strut their stuff."

Dickerson said the next milestone was determining a name and a theme for the event.

"The chamber felt this could be another opportunity to bring people to Centralia in the fall," said Richard Dickerson, chamber president. "Additionally, we have four competitive teams in the area and we would like to start an event that would become a sanctioned barbecue event someday but it all comes back to wanting people to come to Centralia in the fall."

Additionally, it looks like Meredith Stidham, owner of the Material Girl, will reschedule her annual 5-K run to be held the morning of the barbecue contest.

The possibility of purchasing barbecue directly from the contestants has been discussed, but no decision has been reached yet, said Zoellers. "We expect to invite some food vendors as well with a priority given to local vendors."

The eventual structure of the event will probably determine the judging aspects said Dickerson.

The contest would be open to both individual as well as team entries she said, "from local groups, for example the Kiwanis, Rotary, but teams representing local businesses or institutions such as the fire department would be welcome as well."

Prizes for the winners have not yet been determined she said.

Among chamber board members there is some discussion that hosting the event could be the beginning of something that could eventually grow into a fall festival.

Zoellers said discussions were also underway with the Centralia High School music department regarding the possibility of the choir, band and orchestra providing entertainment during the contest.

She said the chamber would also entertain requests to perform from other groups as well.

The chamber board is open to suggestions for the contest. "If anybody has ideas or has seen something at a barbecue contest, that we should try, please give us a call."

Dickerson agreed, "come to a chamber meeting, we are also having noon barbecue contest meetings every two weeks at the Material Girl to work on this, anyone’s welcome."