Open Fields 2011 Photos

Scott Roberts October 9, 2011 at 12:30 pm food Digg this Article

The weather was spot-on perfect for Open Fields 2011. Although last year was thought of as the final Open Fields chilehead gathering/camping excursion since organizer Jim Campbell no longer maintained chile pepper plants on the patch of land that hosted the annual event, the bond of camaraderie proved stronger and people came despite the lack of fresh pods to pick. Although, according to Jim's estimates, only half the number that regularly attends showed up during some part of the weekend, there were still enough friendly, chile-loving folks and cooked-up food to satisfy everyone.

I brought my boys Cory and Kevin to give them a little taste of what Open Fields was all about. Whether it was playing catch football with Jim and me, or tending to the bonfire all day, my boys had a blast; although by the end of Saturday they were tuckered out.

Except for the occasional pepper picking from the "hobby patch" missing and no sauce contests, a lot of things remained the same as recent years, including the auction to benefit Jim's Step Up For Charity.

There was also a bit of "breaking" news overheard by attendees: next year's Open Fields will be most likely be pushed back to its regular September weekend dates; and Jim also announced that he will be planting chile peppers next year, much to the dismay of his wife Abby, but does not know to what extent.

I want to thank Jim and Abby for all they've done!

You can view the entire photo gallery from Open fields 2011 here:
View Thumbnail Gallery | View Slideshow

Here are some select photos with some commentary:

Kevin and Cory with Jim at Casa Del Campbell

The site

The flags

Delicious food was being cooked up from sunrise to sundown! Here's a flippin' awesome fritatta. Two of these were made, and disappeared in seconds.

This is the point were Cory turned into a pyromaniac.

Even Defcon's Mini-Nugget Von Beelzebunny could not resist the alure of Open Fields.

Butch Taylor and Bob "Mr. Hobbyfarmer" Shuman

Even though there were no chile peppers to be picked, people still brought more than enough to cook with or share.

Jim going into pimp mode

YUM! Hog Wings!

Mini-Nugget making short work of the Huddleston's Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey

Free Trinidad Scorpions courtesy of CaJohn

Rumor has it that Mini-Nugget hitched a ride back with Butch back to Louisiana, and was looking forward to having many misadventures...

You can view the entire photo gallery from Open fields 2011 here:
View Thumbnail Gallery | View Slideshow

Comments

Ol' Benito
2011-10-09 22:42:10

Now that's what it's all about....

jim
2011-10-10 04:27:49

Thanks again for everything Scott! Your boys were a hoot :-) It was all 'can we go now' the last hour, but I heard them ask 'can we come back next year?' as they climbed in to leave.

Cory's not a pyro, he's a 'griefer' :-) Make sure you provide adult supervision next time- I don't count :-D

Milton
2011-10-11 00:44:07

I'll be there next year! With or without chiles. Regardles of what Jim thinks (or says).... it definitely AIN'T about the chiles, man!! Or at least, it hasn't been for a very looooooong time.
I have to confess that on Saturday afternoon I was extremely close from getting in my car and stopping by at least for Sat, night, but it turned out to be unrealistic hopes.

No chiles, no huge tent = No problem

I'm very sorry I've missed this year.

Jim at HotSauceAddicts.com
2011-10-11 21:29:10

Looked like beautiful weather and the food looked delicious. . . that cinnamon whisky was interesting as well. . .hmmm. Got to get us some of that.

hudd
2011-10-12 06:22:25

I brought the Fireball cinnamon whisky. They had it at Jungle Jims weekend of fire and I had to get a bottle. Pretty tasty stuff.

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