TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Calling all BBQ lovers: Pig Fest is here

Jasmina Meyer, Highlands Today

Gene Murphy, AMVETS Post 21, chops onions for collard greens, baked beans and BBQ sauce in preparation for the Central Florida BBQ Festival at Firemen's Field on Thursday in Sebring.

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: January 8, 2010

SEBRING - The freezing temperatures didn't stop barbecue teams from setting up Wednesday and Thursday at Firemen's Field for the annual Central Florida BBQ Festival, or Pig Fest, which begins at 8 a.m. today and ends at about 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Jim Neel and Gene Murphy with the AMVETS Post 21 team were busy getting everything ready Thursday, braving the 27-degree morning. It warmed up into the 50s that afternoon.

"It was crazier than hell this morning," said Neel, who wore a one-piece pair of lined overalls to ward off the cold.

"He froze his (backside) off," said Neel, who pointed with his chin toward Murphy, not eager to pull his hands out of his pockets.

Murphy is the team's chef, said Neel.

"About 5 this morning it was cold out," said Murphy, who stood next to the team's huge smoker filled with 16 Boston butts for pulled pork, while he cut up 20 pounds of yellow onions. "But the only thing that froze on me was my feet."

The onions were for his collard greens recipe, baked beans and his secret barbecue sauce.

"Without this breeze going on, I'd be crying," he said, wiping down the knife.

There was a large box of sweet red peppers under Murphy's cutting table.

"The red peppers are for the collard greens and baked beans," said Murphy. "It sweetens them. I've got 20 pounds of neck bones to go with (the collard greens). I made 20 gallons last year and ran out."

He's not making more this year because of the weather forecast.

The AMVETS team hasn't won anything since it starting coming to the festival three years ago. He admired the dedication of teams that have won.

"We're more into selling to the public," said Murphy. "You never know though. We might get lucky."

The team from CMT BBQ was unpacking its trailer Thursday morning.

The name is derived from the first initial of the team member's last names; Reggie Cooper, Robert Mott and Mike Thomas.

"This is our fourth year doing this," said Mott. "We did it two years in a row, missed a year and this is our second year in a row.

They've never won a title in Sebring, but their chicken took first place in Wauchula, said Mott.

"I've learned you've got to cook for the judges, not yourself," said Mott. "You might think it's good and your friends might think so.

"You've got to cook it the way they want and make it look like the way they want," said Cooper.

The two teams are about 40 from Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Florida, Central Florida and North Florida to compete for points, prizes, titles and bragging rights.

Firemen's Field is located at the corner of Kenilworth Boulevard and the Sebring Parkway across for Sebring High School.

Admission is free.

Live blues concert

So that blues fans don't turn blue - shivering in the cold, the live blues concert at the festival has been moved inside to Pavilion B, according to Jim Fortner, the entertainment chair for the event.

Also there as a disc jockey, Fortner said he will play blues hits from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, leading up to a live blues concert.

The Damon Fowler Group, Greg Poulos and Mike Kach, will perform tonight from 7 to 11.

Tractor and classic car parade

The Pig Fest really takes off at noon today with the annual Antique Tractor and Classic Car Parade. The parade, sponsored by Budweiser, normally has about 30 to 40 entrants, said George White, the parade's organizer.

The parade will begin on Oak Street and Lakeview Drive and will proceed up South Ridgewood Drive to Circle Drive, around the Circle to South Commerce and will end at the Highlands County Fair Grounds.

Calling all hogs

From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. today those racing pigs will be locked up when the hog-calling contest is held at the judging stage in Pavilion B.

Food and fun

Beer and soft drink sales will be from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today and 11 a.m. until closing on Saturday.

There will also be funnel cake and ice cream vendors on the grounds.

Just as in recent festivals, teams may sell samples of their product in exchange for Pig Bucks. Only Pig Bucks can be used to purchase samples.

Pig Bucks can be purchased for an even exchange by visitors and will be available at several locations starting at 10 a.m. today and Saturday.

The teams will redeem the Pig Bucks for $.80 cents on the dollar. Any exchange of U.S. currency for samples will result in that team forfeiting all prize money!

Rosaire's Royal Racers

Rosaire's Royal Racers were already set up Thursday morning in preparation for the festival.

Pick your favorite porker and watch the piggies squeal around their outdoor track. However, sometimes they just waddle.

Races will be held on-the-hour, starting at 5 p.m. through 8 p.m. today, and will resume on Saturday at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., with the last race at 5 p.m.

More fun

The Rooter Rush Show is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, at the main stage.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, go to the Alan Holmes Family tent where the apple pie judging contest will begin.

There will be an awards ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday at the main stage where the winners will be announced, ending the event.

No dogs (excluding working dogs) are permitted on the grounds at any time.

Highlands Today reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at 863-386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com

Share this:

Loading Comments...

ADVERTISEMENT