The Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce is bringing a little bit of the Fall Ride to Merrill by hosting the community’s first annual ribfest on Saturday, Sept. 14 outside on the MARC grounds from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pork in the Park is a rib cook-off that will feature eight area cooks and restaurants competing for the title of best rib in the area. The featured grill masters are Geiss Meats, The Grill Team, Merrill Sheet Metal, Richards Supper Club, Brian Wettstein, Sowbellies Team, Big Hass BBQ and Dickey’s BBQ. Each grill cook/team will be competing for the top three places and a People’s Choice award will also be awarded based on votes by those consuming the ribs.
“We are very excited to bring Pork in the Park to Merrill,” said Debbe Kinsey, chamber executive director. “Merrill is filled with motorcyclists during the Fall Ride and most love to travel along Highway 107, so this is the perfect event – bikers, ribs and a location along 107.”
The ribfest will also be the most affordable in the area – ribs will be sold for only “one buck a bone.’ In addition to the ribs, steak and chicken sandwiches and ribbon fries will also be available for purchase. There will also be a beverage tent selling beer, soda and water. And live music by Bobby Evans and the Alimony Band playing from 1-5 pm.
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