Cook Off Brings the Meats to Carmichaels

COOK OFF BRINGS THE MEATS TO CARMICHAELS

by Michelle Church

If you happened to be walking near Carmichaels Town Square on June 1, you were greeted with the delicious scent of barbeque in the air and saw the smoke rising from the smokers. The Carmichaels Cook Off had officially begun. The event was held to raise funds for the First Christian Church of Carmichaels. Food vendors from the area competed and sold their BBQ.

The church recently suffered damage to their basement after flooding. Members of the church’s men’s group were bouncing around ideas for unique ways to raise money for the needed repairs. Dave Rager, the event organizer, says they wanted to “try something different.” Inspired by the Pigs in a Blanket Festival previously held in Carmichaels, they decided to hold a BBQ cook off. When the church approached the Carmichaels Borough about their idea, they were met with much excitement. Pennsylvania Department of Transporation agreed to shut down the town square for the festival and the church began approaching possible vendors.

The event gave food vendors the ability to enter a cooking competition in addition to sellling their food to bystanders. The competition had three main categories: Best Chicken, Best Pork and Best Beef. There was also Best Side Dish, Best Chili and People’s Choice categories. Those who attended the competition were encouraged to vote on their favorite dish. They were offered an additional perk - everyone voting for the People’s Choice would also be entered to win a prize. The main competitors were:

• Charlie’s Backyard Barbecue Catering is run by Charlie Henderson, a former employee of Hatfield Ferry. He cooked up 75 racks of ribs for the cook off and was nearly sold out by 2:30 PM!

• Jail House Swine, consisting of employees of the local prison, has BBQ in the blood - other family members used to cook at Hot Rod’s restaurant.

• Two Polish Chicks offered homemade cabbage and noodles and potato salad.

The First Christian Church also had a booth selling hamburgers, hot dogs, and beverages for donations. Raffle tickets were sold for baskets filled to the brim with goodies, like giftcards, as well as a kayak! Businesses and community members also donated items.

On one of the first truly warm and dry days of the season, good food was brought to the people of Greene County for a great cause. Happy children ran around and played at the dunk tank and football toss. Some chose to enter a hot dog eating competition. An upbeat line dance was held by Pastor Reagan Rager.

Jail House Swine took the prize for Best Beef with their brisket and Best Chicken for their crowd-pleasing chicken lollipops. Charlie’s Backyard Barbecue Catering won Best Pork.

The real winners for the day were The First Christian Church of Carmichaels and the town of Carmichaels. The food sold out,

everyone enjoyed a fun and delicious event, and the church raised enough money to fund their repairs!