Martindale — This year marked the 4th annual Dip Olympics in Martindale. There are no gymnastics at these Olympics, and the only torches around are lighting a path to the Port-o-Potties in the field.

The Dip Olympics is an event hosted by Aaron and Cindy Arguien, in which people from Martindale, San Marcos and all other surrounding communities bring their personal hot sauces, cheese dip, desert dip, guacamole and any other dip concoction they can dream up, for 100 or so people to sample and judge.

According to Aaron Arguien, a dip is “anything that can be eaten with an edible utensil. It’s really whatever you can think of.”

People seemed to be okay with stretching that definition too.

“A couple of years ago, the Green Guy, Kyle Hahn, brought something he called alumachips and scrap metal salsa,” said Cindy Arguien. “It was exactly how it sounds and very inedible. He won worst bowl for it that year,”

Every year there seem to be someone that breaks the rules slightly.

“We had someone just buy a can of Frito-Lay bean dip one year. Normally, I wouldn’t let that slide, but their presentation won us over,” said Aaron Arguien. “They dumped the bean dip into a baby diaper and hung it up for people to dip into. It was a huge hit that year.”

After all bowls are registered, each guest is given a ballot and asked to vote for one dip for each of four categories. The categories are honorable mention, most original bowl, best bowl and worst bowl.

The winner was to receive an Athenian wreath for their head, a bottle of vodka from Saaga, a Dip Olympics sponsor, and a shirt from Shiner Bock, this year’s other Olympics sponsor.

This year’s Olympics consisted of 31 bowls in total, covering all parts of the dip spectrum. One of the biggest hits, which won the title of most original dip, was the “Fountain of Couth,” a fondue fountain filled with gravy complete with hand-fried chicken and steak fingers for dipping put together by Dawn E. Paulson.

“It helps when you’ve had years of catering experience,” said Paulson while accepting her award. The title of the best bowl went to Scott Biram’s peach and habanera dip.

“I just made a dip so I didn’t feel like a dip for showing up here without anything,” said Biram. “I didn’t expect anyone to like it.”

Honorable mention went to a Halloween themed seven layer dip, the “Spider’s Nest” dip, constructed by Carla Barnes.

“You definitely have to practice to win,” said Barnes. “This is the fifth time I’ve made this dip in the past couple of months. I wanted it to be perfect.”

The infamous label of worst bowl went to John Pugh for a dish that consisted of pink whipped cream in a box with a hole cut in top. Animal crackers were provided for dipping.

“It’s a great honor to get this two years in a row. Last year I just made instant mashed potatoes with no milk and lost, or won depending on how you look at it,” Pugh said.

Throughout the day, all guests seemed energetic and talkative. Their spirits seemed to be lifted by the food and people that were surrounding them.

“I love it here,” said Mike Fulton, first time dipper. “I can basically get a whole meal and free beer just for showing up here.”

The event caters to more than just the older crowd, though.

“I just love the idea that all the good folks are right here. All the children are safe and happy,” said Patty Farkas, the mother of Cindy Arguien. “I’m so proud that my kids put something together that encompasses the spirit of the community. There are no strangers out here.”

It seemed to be true, too. As soon as people drove through the gate a smile was permanently plastered on their face until the end of the night.

This was the fist year that the Dip Olympics was sponsored by national companies. Shiner Bock beer and Saaga, a new vodka on the market, both showed up to support the event.

“It seemed like this was going to get a lot of attention,” said Monica, the San Marcos representative from Saaga. “We jumped on immediately when we heard the buzz it was creating.”

Aaron and Cindy also host the annual corndog festival in March and are active in the San Marcos skateboarding community.