Shrimp Boil 2009

Hilty's Third Annual Shrimp Boil

Family Time

Pam, Tonya and John

Some Guests Came By Plane

Some Came by Automobile

Some Guests Came On Bikes

Some Camped In thhe Desert

Some guests Camped Under the stars

The Chefs, Frank & Don

Friends And Family

Preparing the Tables

The Karaoke Team

There Was Singing

There Was Dancing

There Was A Bonfire

Third Annual Hilty Shrimp Boil Food…Friendship….Fun …

describes the family-oriented weekend at the annual shrimp boil hosted by Cliff and Rose . It happens the first weekend in November at the Hanger on the air strip in Aguila. Guests came by planes, motor homes, travel trailers and campers. Outdoor enthusiasts pitched tents in the surrounding desert vegetation, sleeping under the stars, while some slept on beds, dorm style, in the hanger. The Aguila Hilton, Aguila’s only and finest motel was almost filled to capacity with guests who didn’t bring their own sleeping accommodations. Family members and more than 100 friends from many walks of life enjoyed the warm days, cool nights and striking desert sunsets. As evening approached karaoke music filled the autumn air providing anyone who had the courage to stand up and exercise their vocal chords a chance to hone their musical skills. Inside the hanger an array of delectable snacks and desserts filled two tables as well as plenty of coffee and cold drinks. The food preparation and cooking was placed in the capable hands of Chefs Don and Frank. With the help of a few volunteers they prepared the shrimp and all the fixins’ which were placed into large vats of boiling water fired by propane tanks where everything was cooked to perfection. The crowd stood back and waited patiently while the last tub of shrimp was poured out over the fixins’ onto the long, newspaper-covered tables. At last it was time stake out our place at the table, drag up a chair, roll up our sleeves and eat like we meant it until we had our fill, in a mass feeding frenzy. Later, sitting by the biggest bonfire I’ve ever seen, kids of all ages toasted marshmallows and made smores, until the fire became smoldering embers. This was my 2^nd time to be a part of this extraordinary event and I hope to see y’all there again. Cliff and Rose are already making plans to host the next shrimp boil and I’m sure it will be another fun-filled weekend.