Football game pits public safety against PHS alumni

In an effort to raise money for high school sports, the Chocolate Festival and Paradise High School are teaming up for an alumni football game. PHS alumni will battle public safety officials in what has been dubbed as "Pig-a-Palooza on the Ridge."

The event will not only feature the flag football alumni game, but other fun-for-the-whole-family activities as well. The event kicks off at 8 a.m. with a pigs and pancakes breakfast hosted by the Comeback Diner.

The "Pig Pen" is an arts and crafts fair held on the softball field that will feature student organizations and groups and other vendors hawking their wares. Chocolate Festival Executive Director Debbie LaPlant-Moseley said Chocolate Fest 2012 was the first time that PHS students really got involved in the festival. She said she wanted to make sure the students were involved this year as well. All the money raised from each student-run booth will go into the respective organization the student is representing.

There will also be a "Pig-a-Palooza on Wheels" show and shine at the middle field featuring "anything on wheels," from classic cars to roller skates. The Pig-a-Palooza event was born of Sacramento's annual Pig Bowl, which has been ongoing for about 30 years, LaPlant Moseley said. She said former Paradise Town Councilwoman Frankie Rutledge has wanted to hold a similar event in Paradise for a while.

"We thought 'This is the time,'" LaPlant-Moseley said. "We wanted it to be so much more than a football

game. So we made it a palooza."

She noted that the term "polooza" is loosely defined as "celebration." Half-time activities include a golf-ball drop and a kiss the pig contest. The day will close with a barbecue and boot stomp.

The state's K-12 public schools have been cut by more than $18 billion over the last three years, roughly $3,051 per student, according to the event press release. Class sizes are increasing; music, art and sports programs are being eliminated, and computer labs, libraries and schools are being shut down.

The funds raised from the event will benefit local youth organizations and the infrastructure of the Chocolate Festival, LaPlant-Moseley said. Agencies expected to take park in the event are Paradise Police, Paradise Fire, Butte County Sheriff's Office, Chico Police, Butte County Search and Rescue, Emergency Medical Technicians, and possibly some SWAT team members and military personnel.

With so many public safety personnel involved, the logic in calling the event "Pig-a-Palooza" could be questioned. But LaPlant-Moseley said it is not derogatory at all.

"It stands for pride, integrity and guts," she said. "I think you have to have a sense of humor to work in public safety."

Tickets go on sale July 25 and can be found at PIP Printing, Hudson's Appliances and at Paradise High School, once school is back in session on Aug. 15.

Call LaPlant-Moseley at 342-4896 or PHS at 872-6425 to join in the fun. Chocolate Fest 2013 is on May 11.

Source: http://www.paradisepost.com/ci_21071448/football-game-pits-public-safety-against-phs-alumni?source=rss_viewed

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