Pioneer Days a rib roaring blast
People say its getting bigger and better
According to the many enthusiastic people, Pioneer Days and Rib Cook-off in Porterville is getting bigger each year. There is more to do for families, a wonderful re-enactment of a shoot out between the good guys and the bad guys, a fantastic historically accurate Buffalo Soldier encampment as well as wonderful horse-drawn “ghost tours” throughout the day. As well as Pioneer Queen, Princess, Junior Miss and Little Miss pageants and Folkloric dancers.
There were 22 contenders for the Rib Cook-off, who smoked and roasted some of the best barbecued ribs in Porterville.
Big Daddy BBQ came from as far away as the City of San Fernando near Los Angeles, and Jess Miranda said it was a good experience as he served some mouthwatering ribs to eager customer Barbara Forlano of Springville.
With a big smile, Miranda says, “Everyone in Porterville has been so welcoming and friendly and came up and introduced themselves when they knew we’d traveled so far. We will be coming back next year for the Rib Cook-off.”
Denise Carson was taking ribs home and said, “I think the Rib Cook-off is just fabulous. I’ll share all the different kinds with my husband.”
Stella said the barbecue tasted great, and she’d be back next year. Effie Coulter said all the ribs she’d had were very good.
Michael Knight of the Red Bearded Step Sister barbecue team said he was glad to see the barbecue competition growing and it was a really good event. He has previously competed with different teams.
Corey Jones from Good Times BBQ said the judges had set different serving times for the teams and they would serve the ribs three different times during the day, so people and judges wouldn’t have to wait and they’d have fresh ribs at their best flavor. Good Times was serving pork spare-ribs with a St. Louis-style of cut.
Jones said all Rib Cook-off proceeds went to the historic Zalud house.
Pioneer Queen for the year is Irelynn Weaver.
Manuel Fernandes has been a Civil War re-enactor for 20 years and has always been involved in Pioneer Days and the Jackass Mail Run.
He said when they do the shoot out it can be dangerous, but there are many rules and regulations for safety, but it’s a great event.
An elegantly dressed “Women of the West” Amanda Dyson, Skye Inouye, and Marcia Brown in their 1866 costumes sat at a tea-table in Centennial Park and told people about their roles in history, depicting the lives of brave African-american pioneer women who had to constantly adapt to survive life’s hardship with their families.
Deborah Collins said, “Thank you to the City of Porterville for inviting us here, the Buffalo Soldier Mounted Cavalry. With all the national and world disasters it’s a blessing to have a day where we can gather and celebrate our history and share camaraderie with love and compassion.”
Virginia and Sal Gurrola sat in the sun and enjoyed watching the pageant. She said there were more people and more booths at Pioneer Days, and more energy. It was really home-town oriented, and everyone was having a good time. And all the little girl pageant contestants “were gorgeous.”
All the activities were fun for families, and their were lots of crafts and the kids liked the shoot out said Amanda Miller who was sitting with her daughters 10 and 13, and their greatgrandfather Donald Skiles.
Stacie Skiles said her son and daughter came for the ribs, some were sweet and some spicy. She said the community really needs this kind of family oriented event on weekends, and she hoped Pioneer Days continued to grow and be a success.
Richard Rodriguez and his wife, Annette Ramirez were strolling down Main street enjoying the beautiful weather and just being together and said it was a wonderful day.
Dennis Townsend said the Buffalo Soldiers Cavalry Unit was really authentic. He was Honorary Sheriff for the Day and enjoyed throwing all the kids “in jail” and said, “This is the only time it’s a good thing.”
For the first time ever there was a threeway tie for the People’s Choice Award for the Rib Cook-off.
People’s Choice Awards: 1. Smart Ashes, Red Bearded Step Sisters and Da Mexicans.
Cash winners: 1. Knuckle Smokers, $500; 2. Kick Rock BBQ, $400; and 3. Smokin’ Low & Slow BBQ, $300