Pit at the Park Macungie, PA

This KCBS competition was held as part of the 53^rd Annual Das Awkscht Fescht.  Located in the private Macungie Memorial Park which boast a robust 43 acres full of classic cars, vendors, community swimming pool, and auto flea market.  The auto fest offered live entertainment from noon until 10:30 pm Friday and Saturday.  If you enjoy classic cars, classic 60’s era music, lots of fair food, and an awesome professionally produced fireworks display, this is one competition you need to put on your schedule for next year.  Did I mention the fireworks display Saturday night to end the days event…which were set off right across the street where competitors were set up.  The sight, sound, and percussions could be felt from each and every one launched, you will be hard pressed to find a better location and display of fireworks.

The organizers did a great job with this 1^st time event, making sure competitors had ample electric and city water from one of the parks fire hydrants.  There were oversized team sites as well as 20 x 20 regular sites to accommodate teams of all sizes.  Fortunately the competition area was on grass to help absorb the hazy, hot, humid, dog days of summer, unlike those that baked on the asphalt of Sam’s Club in Laurel, MD this same weekend.  So it is easy to see with 52 years’ experience running the auto fest that this new event has the possibility of longevity and becoming a team favorite in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Twenty-three teams went at it for the title of Grand Champion at the 1^st Annual Pit in the Park.  As the sun was setting in the early August evening the title fell to the well-known, well respected, 5-time Pennsylvania State Champions Tom & Michele Perelka of Lo’ –N- Slo’ BBQ.  The event also held a chefs choice and dessert categories which were cooked and turned in on Sunday.  Eight teams were registered for these two categories which were to be done in German or PA Dutch cuisine theme.  The overall winner of the combined categories went to Tom & Stacie Feil of Christmas City BBQ.

Check out the full competition results here.