Each year, the beginning of Fall brings a heartwarming wave of excitement and nostalgia for the activities and events that accompany it. Colored leaves blanket lawns, decorations are dug out of attics, and the air fills with scents of pumpkins, apple cider, and… cabbage? With the Carmichael Pig Fest returning this October, all sorts of tasteful aromas are bound to be enjoyed with cooking contests and activities for all ages, including the annual pigs-in-a-blanket cook-off.
Originating in 1997, the first festival was organized by Carmichaels Borough Council President Joyce Bokat Peccon with the goal of bringing an ethnic type of festival to the community. The initial event included a polka band, pony rides, and a hot air balloon.
In the eighteen years since then, the festival has been hosted and organized by various organizations within the Carmichael community. This year, Wana B Park will be throwing the beloved festival. Although the entertainment has varied slightly over the years, the event has remained a heartfelt occasion in the community.
“Growing up in Carmichaels every fall, we always looked forward to the first weekend in October to be able to taste great food and have the community come together for a day of fun and activity,” said Barbie McMinn, the Events Director for Wana B Park.
At the center of the event is a community favorite – the pigs in a blanket contest. This friendly competition involves contestants cooking up their best version of the classic Polish dish. While some Americans associate mini hotdogs wrapped in croissants with the dish name, the contest is actually for Halupki, also referred to as stuffed cabbage. Halupki recipes typically entail cabbage encasing rice along with beef or pork, hence its popular nickname. The dish was originally chosen as the staple contest as they are claimed to be a popular comfort food in the Carmichael area.
The event will also feature a rib cook-off for meatlovers to show off their skills. Anyone is welcome to participate in either or both of the cooking competitions, no matter what level of experience. The dishes have historically been judged based on taste, texture, and appearance with prizes in store for the top three winners. Local craft and food vendors will also be present, along with a pumpkin patch, bounce houses, a DJ, and a live band.
“My favorite part of this festival is getting to try all the different variations of pig in the blankets,” added McMinn. “This is just an all-around fun and great family event.”
Thanks to the generosity of organizations around Carmichael throughout the years, Joyce Bokat Peccon’s original dream of the festival has been kept alive, bringing almost two decades of cultural fun to the area’s families. To contestants whose parents and grandparents passed on their recipes, the event and dish it centers around connects them to the generations that came before them.
Join in on the fun at Wana B Park on October 5th from 11 a.m. to 4p.m.
