Mark your calendars, the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting their 2nd Annual Pork in the Park Ribfest on Saturday, Sept. 13 outside on the MARC grounds beginning at noon until sold out.
Pork in the Park is a rib cook-off that will feature 11 area cooks and restaurants competing for the title of best rib in the area. The returning featured grill masters are Geiss Meats, The Grill Team, Merrill Sheet Metal Works, Richard’s Supper Club, and Dickey’s BBQ. The new featured grill masters are The Wellness Center Rib Rubbers, Rich’s Amazin Blazin BBQ, Porchy’s Bar-B-Q, Dustin McNeil, Urban Street Bistro, and Kim’s BS “Smokin.” Each grill cook/team will be competing for the top three cash awards and a People’s Choice award will also be awarded based on votes by those consuming the ribs.
“We are very excited to be hosting the 2nd Annual Pork in the Park in Merrill,” said Debbe Kinsey, chamber chief executive officer. “Last year’s ribfest drew more than 1,300 people and we ran out of ribs! This year we have doubled our ribs and increased the number of grill competitors, so we are prepared for all the rib lovers.”
The ribfest is also the most affordable in the area – ribs will be sold for only ‘one buck a bone’ and will include sides sponsored by Park City Credit Union. In addition to the ribs, steak, chicken and pulled-pork sandwiches, corn-on-the-cob and ribbon fries will also be available for purchase. Ed & Sharon’s Wagon will be there too selling turkey and roast beef sandwiches and Trinity Lutheran Church will have apple pies. There will also be a beverage tent selling beer, soda and water. And live music by Bobby Evans and the Alimony Band will be performing from 1-5 p.m.
Major ‘Boss Hog’ sponsors of this year’s event include Church Mutual Insurance, Merrill Sheet Metal and the Foto News. Pork in the Park tee-shirts are now available for sale at the Chamber office for $15 each.
For more information on Pork in the Park contact the Chamber office at 705 N. Center Ave., by telephone at 715-536-9474 or visit their website www.merrillchamber.org.