My significant other and I wanted to get our ribs on at Pork in the Park, and yesterday we did just that. Here’s part of how the experience went.
Luckily, there was a good rib place just inside the entrance. The only one closer would have been Famous Dave’s and, to be quite honest, we can get their ribs any old time. So we stopped by Jacked Up BBQ.
Here’s a shot of them slicing up our lunch – we shared a full rack with sides (great cole slaw, by the way) and a little bit of ‘pig candy.’
Now, bear in mind it was about lunchtime, so one would expect a pretty decent crowd. Yet look at the draw these tents were getting just down from Jacked Up.
Other rib sellers were getting the same response. This was around the corner at Chop Shop BBQ.
Now I don’t know if this was a traffic consideration or an effort to spread out vendors more, but a couple rib places were out in what’s normally the WinterPlace Park parking lot. I thought it was an exit at first.
You can see the umbrellas in the second shot. They were useful as long as the howling wind didn’t turn them inside out.
It’s a shame more people weren’t around because I wanted to see them fire this bad boy up.
Johnsonville claims it’s the world’s largest grill, and that it can handle 750 brats. That may have been two for everyone there at the time.
Still, the competition was going on despite the weather. We wandered back to the competitors’ area just as the judging deadline for ribs was approaching, and this crew wanted to make its presence known.
While the ribs were being turned in, there was still brisket to be wrapped up.
And as always, there was an odd sense of humor present among those who come to Salisbury to compete in what they claim is the largest KCBS contest east of the Mississippi.
The little bronze pig on the ground was a nice touch, as was the tiki bar below.
My significant other liked this one best.
Despite the paucity of people, the show did go on. One new feature this time around was the mechanical bull.
One could ride it for $5, although people weren’t exactly flocking to it. I saw one game contestant get tossed off as I was walking up but no one in line after him.
I didn’t stay long enough to make a ‘Weekend of Local Rock’ post, although we did hear a little from Joe Bachman and the Crew as we walked by.
I spoke to Michael Taylor, who was doing sound, and was told that rain wouldn’t stop the entertainment but lightning would. As Julie Brewington showed on Right Coast Conservative, Smokin’ Gunnz did get their set in but the storm which rolled in about 6:00 ended the proceedings before they could get to 7 Days Wasted or their headlining act, Bruce in the USA.
There’s little doubt that the event will fall short of the 30,000 it drew last year since Saturday is usually its biggest day. But there was decent enough weather today and Friday night that they should easily outdraw the other Wicomico Recreation, Parks, and Tourism events (Autumn Wine Festival and Good Beer Festival) combined. I’d guess they’ll end up between 15,000 and 20,000 when all is said and done because today should be a good day for attendance.
Next year the event will migrate forward on the calendar as the third Friday of the month will be April 20th. Hopefully that will make a difference in the weather and things will be a little warmer in WinterPlace.