Spit In the Hills

The Chidlow Tavern has been a hive of activity this week, creating a buzz in the air as details of the amazing event ‘Spit in the Hills’ begin to emerge, proving that there is no smoke without fire!

We are super-excited to announce that the second annual ‘Spit the Hills’ is joining forces with the Progressive Axemen’s Association WA and Honey Month to present an eclectic weekend featuring an international KCBS sanctioned BBQ contest alongside a traditional wood chop competition as well as a celebration of the noble honey bee and artisan markets. We want to create an event that really excites and inspires spectators, where they can get involved, be amazed and above all, have a great time.

Bring the whole family for a great day out in the hills, with free entry for spectators, the event is open from 10 am both days. This year we are delighted to announce the Chidlow Tavern will be firing up their BBQ and vending alongside some of the teams, plus the return of Chidlow Choice—where spectators can become judges, test your taste buds with the blind honey challenge or prove your wood chopping skills on Sunday.

What is this event all about?
The international Low & Slow BBQ Contests are taking the world by storm! There are thousands of teams worldwide who are competing in these sanctioned contests, there are television shows dedicated to the events (you may have seen them on Foxtel), and Australia is one of the fastest growing BBQ countries outside of the United States. Little old Chidlow is host to TWO of these events each year—Spit In The Hills held in May and The Chidlow BBQ Festival held in September. This is our second annual Spit In The Hills Competition—and we are expecting 30 competing teams. This will make it the largest comp in Western Australia to date.

Wood Chop Competitions are events that have been around in WA for over a century. Chidlow was on the woodchopping circuit for most of that time with an event know as The Chidlow Chop. The last event was held here in 1989. We are excited to be bringing this event back to the Hills and are looking forward to this being a standard part of this annual event.

There will be two days of woodchopping for the spectators to consume! Saturday 4 May will feature the competition—with many different events. Sunday 5th May will see a grand exhibition that will engage the audience.

As an added extra bonus for attendees, we are also teaming up with National Honey Month – and bringing in local expertise in the bee keeping and honey producing field. The Perth Hills has a rich population of beekeepers and local hives producing some of the world’s finest honey! We are strong supporters of our local beekeepers and have a keen understanding of the importance of keeping our bee population in good health! No bees—no life!

Festival goers will have a wonderful opportunity to learn about bees, beekeeping, hives, breeding of queens, and best of all—a chance to taste some of our local honey. Our markets will also include a wonderful range of bee products for you to sample and purchase.

What’s on offer at this event?
- 30-Team Internationally Sanctioned BBQ Event—goes for 2 days
- Woodchop competition and exhibition—goes for 2 days
- Street Markets—both days
- Musical Entertainment—both days
- Learning sessions and presentations for festival goers to learn about BBQ and Woodchopping and Bees
- Great food
- Chidlow’s Choice – Your opportunity to taste and vote for your favourite team and the best BBQ of the competition.
- Activities for the kids—both days
- Audience Participation Activities for young and old—both days

To sign up and compete, judge or to be a vendor or busker at our markets or honey exhibition email katie_witherwick@live.com.

Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you here with us as a spectator!