Written By Jan Sims
POPLAR HILL - Picture-perfect weather, delicious food, and community support brought out the crowds for the annual Middlesex Beef Barbecue on Thursday August 15th.
This was the 65th year for the event, which draws thousands of people annually to Poplar Hill Park. And the lineups were worth it for the main attraction; barbecued beef. “It is barbecued on specially designed barbecues that that it can be slow cooked over charcoal. This is served with corn on the cob, baked potato, cabbage salad, tomatoes, pickles, buns. Dessert is butter tart and ice cream,” says organizer Barbara Johnson.
The aim of the event is to promote beef in Middlesex County. Over the years, it’s attracted not only local attention, but dignitaries including former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. “That evening we served about 5,000 people,” says Johnson.
As well as the food, the event features live music and balloons for the kids. “Advance tickets are $25.00 and Gate tickets are $30.00. Elementary school age children are free with an adult,” says Johson.
Behind the scenes, it takes a small army of volunteers to put the event together. Many of the volunteers are beef producers and members of their families. “Volunteers husk corn, wrap potatoes and serving everything from beef to tarts to coffee and tea. We need about 100 volunteers to run this event smoothly,” says Johnson.
Planning begins in January with the booking of Poplar Hill Park and volunteers working right up to the day of the event. “We also have a great group of 4H members that volunteer. We are also privileged to have Libro Financial and Mainstreet Credit Union as well as Allied Accounting send us volunteers to support our event,” says Johnson. “We hope that our visitors will go home with an appreciation for Middlesex grown beef and the farmers who provide it,” adds Johnson.
