Written By Jan Sims
POPLAR HILL - The 67th annual Cattleman’s Beef Barbecue returned to Poplar Hill Park on August 20th. The event is put on by the Middlesex Cattleman’s Association, and continues to be a very popular event.
“We’re cooking 2,000 pounds of beef. The guys do an excellent job barbecuing. It’s very flavourful and people love it,” says organizer Barbara Johnson.
This year’s barbecue was held under picture-perfect skies, which only helps to bring out the crowds. “We like to feed about 18-hundred and 2-thousand would be good,” says Johnson.
People flock to the event for the delicious food, but it’s also a way to acknowledge the work of local farmers. “I think it’s important for the cowmen, to promote their product and for people to get a taste for it and see maybe they’d enjoy beef other times during the year,” says Johnson.
Although beef prices at the supermarket have been remarked upon of late, the ticket prices for this year’s barbecue remained at $30 at the gate, and $25 in advance. “We just bit the bullet and decided not to raise the price this year so that people will have the opportunity to have a wonderful beef dinner,” say Johnson.
Although it all comes down to one day, the event is a long time in the planning. As well as the beef, coordination is needed with suppliers for other tasty treats such as corn, tomatoes and potatoes.
