Music, barbeque and more are coming to Castroville Regional Park. The 3rd Annual Porkin’ in the Park barbeque cook-off will take place on Saturday, Oct. 6. This year the contest will occur just before National Night Out, which is an annual event that helps promote better community relationships between citizens and police. The Castroville Police Department is organizing both events which are free to the public.
Porkin’ in the Park will feature four-person teams barbequing chicken, pork spare ribs or beef brisket. Each team is vying for the top prize of Grand Champion which comes with a $1,000 cash prize.
The gates to Castroville Regional Park will open at noon on Oct 6. Entry is free, but spectators will have the option of purchasing a wristband for $10 which will allow them to sample the barbeque at different tables. Tasters from the public will also be able to vote for the winner of the “People’s Choice Award.”
Proceeds from the contest will go to the Bluebonnet Children’s Advocacy Center, which is a non-profit organization that assists physically and sexually abused children. The amount of money raised by the contest has increased from $1,300 the first year to $3,000 last year.
Corporal Ashley Skolweck of the Castroville Police Department said, “Our goal is to make each event bigger and better and to be able to give a higher donation amount.”
Skolweck previously served on the board for the Bluebonnet Children’s Advocacy Center and said the non-profit was chosen because of its good rapport with law enforcement and because of the work they do with children in need.
This year Skolweck had the event sanctioned by the International Barbeque Cookers Association. Events sanctioned by the IBCA benefit from increased promotion and Skolweck hopes the publicity and name recognition will translate into more contestants.
The cook-off will transition into National Night Out at 3 pm and will kick off with a musical performance by Will Dodson followed by Houston Marchman at 4:30 p.m.
Visitors will be able to shop at a variety food trucks and booths run by local businesses and craft vendors. There will also be presentations by local first responders, the Army, and Homeland Security. National Night Out wraps up at 6 pm.
More information on the day’s activities is available.
