Gritman Medical Center kicks off UI’s Block Party with a chili feed
Nina Rydalch
Argonaut
Kicking off the University of Idaho’s Homecoming Block Party this year is the Gritman Medical Center, with the Vandal Spirit Chili Feed.
The Block Party is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Friday in downtown Moscow.
Adina Bielenger, one of the event coordinators, said Gritman Medical Center will have tents, tables, and chairs up by 4 p.m. and the event will go until the Block Party commences.
“Chili feed’s kind of going to be the kickoff for our Block Party,” said Lise Welch, the homecoming assistant chair.
Welch said the Block Party is designed to excite students and inspire them to show their school spirit at the football game. She said it also provides local businesses the opportunity to give back to their community as well as support Vandal pride. The chili feed is Gritman’s staff’s way of participating.
“We’re big supporters of the University of Idaho,” Bielenger said. “We just like to be part of the homecoming festivities.”
Bielenger said they held the same event last year during homecoming with great success.
Bielenger said Gritman Medical Center will provide the community with beverages, cookies, cornbread and chili. She said there will be three different varieties of chili, including traditional beef, turkey and vegetarian. The meal will be entirely free, she said.
However, the Chili Feed is more than the food.
“It’s not just chili,” said Gina Taruscio, director of the Chamber of Commerce.
Taruscio said she is personally looking forward to watching the Vandal Marching Band, which will perform during the chili feed.
Bielenger said Joe Vandal and the Spirit Squad will also join. She said there will be opportunities to take Vandal spirit themed photos and to take photos with Joe.
“The only thing we’re adding is the obstacle course,” she said.
She said this addition, a blow-up obstacle course, is an interactive feature that caters both to children and children-at-heart. Bielenger said she thinks 4 p.m. is a prime time for kids and adults alike to enjoy working their way through the course.
“It’s definitely worth being there,” Taruscio said.
Taruscio said the Block Party has grown this year, with more businesses and other groups welcoming students back. She said this expansion correlates with that of the chili feed and other homecoming events.
“It’s just a really good example of the collaboration within the community,” Taruscio said.
Nina Rydalch
can be reached at