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Small town family reunion It's the 'icing on the cake' when locals turn out for Harvest Fest and Rib Cook-off

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In addition to ribs, food available at the Harvest Fest will include barbecue pork sandwiches, hot dogs, corn on the cob, baked beans, potato salad, dressing, noodles, fudge and homemade ice cream. The event is Saturday, Sept. 11 in downtown Berlin.

Face painting was a popular attraction at last year’s Harvest Fest and Rib Cook-off in Berlin.

Photo By Submitted photosA parade, a feature of the Sept. 11 Harvest Fest and Rib Cook-off, will begin at 6 p.m., stepping off at Berlin Mennonite Church along U.S. 62, and continuing south and west through town to Berlin Elementary School.

By CHRISTINE L. PRATT

Staff Writer

A penny for your thoughts and a quarter for your opinion. This year's Harvest Fest and Rib Cook-off in Berlin includes a new twist to the return of the People's Choice Award at the annual event on Satuday, Sept. 11.

Eliminated last year, but making a return appearance this year is the award, which will be decided by vote of the people and by virtue of casting quarters into containers at each rib vendor's booth, said Jo Ann Hershberger, event coordinator and member of the Main Street Merchants Board.

"We're very excited about this," she said. "The vendor with the most quarters is the winner and will receive a trophy and $200 cash prize."

All quarters used in the voting process will be gathered and donated to Holmes County Friends and Neighbors of Every Woman's House.

While many of the downtown merchants will try to have extra quarters at their shops, the banks close at noon and, therefore, "We encourage people to bring quarters with them," said Hershberger, adding, "It gives us an opportunity to help a worthy charity of Holmes County."

Ribs will be ready for sale by 10 a.m., and registered rib vendors to date include Berlin Hickory Smokehouse, Cindy's Diner, Farmstead Restaurant, Sweet Basil Catering and Justin Miller. The cost per bone will average $1.50-$2.

A five-member panel of judges will rate the ribs on tenderness of the meat, flavor of the sauce and appearance. The winner of the Judge's Award will receive a trophy and a $300 cash prize.

The rib vendors' locations will be marked by bunches of fall colored balloons.

Other food that will be available for purchase along Main Street includes barbecue pork sandwiches, hot dogs, corn on the cob, baked beans, potato salad, dressing, noodles, homemade ice cream, fudge and fudge apples and more.

Throughout the day, shops lining Main Street (state Route 39), east from Market Street to just past the U.S. Route 62 split, will have sales inside and outside.

Festival highlights also will feature artist Robert VanNatta and downtown entertainment by Johnny Schrock and Friends, the Stockdale Family, Holmes County Bluegrass, Circle of Friends and John Schmidt. Live dulcimer music will be performed at Harvest Moon.

A parade, to begin at 6 p.m. at the Berlin Mennonite Church along U.S. Route 62, will continue south and west through town to Berlin Elementary School.

"It's so much fun. Berlin used to have Pioneer Days, and there are so many senior citizens who put in the effort into making that happen. When I go to the rib cook-off, I enjoy seeing them come out and enjoy the fruit of someone else's labor," said Hershberger. "I enjoy seeing the local people. We've got the tourists, but the locals ... it's the icing on the cake. It's like a small town family reunion.

"It's nice to walk along the street and bump into and catch up with people. It's a small town parade with local bands and local entries. It's the fun of being together as a community," she said.

And, because it's held during a slower tourist time of the year, it's "probably a little more welcoming for the locals," who Hershberger said can see what's changed over time and "stop by some of the stores they've never been in and see what the tourists come here for."

Of course, she said, the "tourists come for the friendly people. It is different here."

Anyone interested in entering into the rib cook-off should call Hershberger at 330-893-3232. All other food is being prepared and sold by local clubs and organizations, representatives of which may call Rita Yoder at 330-893-2045 to receive free space and to be included in the map of vendors.

Those interested in entering the parade should call the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce at 330-674-3975.

Reporter Christine L. Pratt can be reached at 330-674-5676 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com.