BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County register

From its beginnings as a community get-together nearly 50 years ago, the Kingston Steer Barbecue has evolved into a celebration that draws thousands of people for two days of family fun, entertainment and -of course - great food.

This year’s 49th Steer Barbecue and Village Fair kicks off July 11, involving youth in a battle of the bands. The public is invited to bring a lawn chair to Kingston’s Centennial Park and support local talent on stage. Refreshments will be provided by members of Kingston’s Branch 98 Royal Canadian Legion.

Just before the music, Lions Club cooks will hoist the star steer onto the barbecue for the overnight roasting. The process will result in the event’s signature “burger bits” and delicious roast beef dinners.

Ron Osmond, chairing the event for the Kingston Lions Club, reports the event may have grown from one to two days and changed in many ways over the years, “but even after 50 years, the steer is still front and centre.

“People really look forward to their beef dinners - it brings the community out together.”

Originally a project of the Kingston Lions Club, the barbecue is now hosted through a partnership between the Lions, the village and the Legion.

“As things have continued to grow, we needed more bodies to get the work done,” says Osmond.

Saturday offers a full day of activity that begins with another tradition: the family breakfast at the Kingston fire hall. One of the main attractions, the grand street parade, follows Main Street from Old Brook Road to the Kingston arena, where the balance of the day’s action takes place. Activities include a craft fair, bingo and fun and games for kids. Kiddie train rides and wagon rides are back, as are the inflatable bouncers.

A dessert bake-off is being held in the arena at 1 p.m. and participants must register their entry by 11 a.m. Also at 11 a.m., the burger bits and fries will be served, along with a host of other canteen favorites. The steer comes off the barbecue at noon and beef dinners will be served between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Musical entertainment, which begins at noon on the Centennial Park stage following the introduction of the Apple Blossom Festival princesses, includes performances by David Burbine and Traditional Country, Ernie Marshall and Friends, Bernie Legge and Paul Marshall.

The arena dance returns Saturday night, featuring Spare Parts.

WEBLINKS

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