WANTED: PORK IN THE PARK COOKS!
MERRILL, WI – The Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking some ‘Oinkers’ who want to throw-down their skills and compete in their 7th Annual Pork in the Park Ribfest! The event will take place on Saturday, September 14 at the Merrill Festival Grounds.
“If you think you have the best ribs around, then come out and prove it!” stated Debbe Kinsey, Chamber CEO.
“We are looking for you – backyard cooks, competitors and restaurants. Let our celebrity judges and more than 3,000 hungry rib eaters put your ribs to the test and give you some real bragging rights!”
Can your ribs pass the test? There is only one way to find out. Sign-up to cook, cook and be judged! We award 1 st , 2nd and 3rd place trophies and cash awards as well as the People’s Choice Award that is voted on by the 3,000 plus hungry rib eaters.
Signing up is easy.
Simply fill-out a Cook Registration form, make a $50 refundable deposit and be able to cook a minimum of 39 racks of ribs, more if you are able. All ribs must be ‘finished’ on site. Ribs will be available the Wednesday before the event for pick-up. You can set-up on Friday night if you are smokin’ on site or early Saturday morning. Official judging will take place at noon.
Ribs will be judged based on appearance, tenderness and taste, using official rib judging standards by a panel of local celebrity judges who will be trained by two certified rib judges. All cooks will be given a grilling space and a serving table. It is recommended you bring Nescos to keep your finished ribs warm, although they will likely sell as soon as they are ready. Electricity will be provided for each registered cook/team. Cooks and their teams must be present to serve the ribs to hungry ticket holders.
Serving times have changed this year. Gates will open at 2 p.m. and ribs will be sold until 6 p.m. or until sold out. In previous years, the gate opened at 11:30 a.m. and we were sold out or nearly sold out by 3 p.m.
A Gun Show will be back again this year at the Enrichment Center Hall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
To register, download the application on the Chamber website; http://www.merrillchamber.org or contact Cheryl at 715-536-9474.