Windsor Ruritan Club Pig Pickin’ at the fairgrounds a big success Print
Published 5:51 pm Friday, May 5, 2023
Deputy Mariah Sepeda and Randall Phelps help man the entrance/exit of the Windsor Ruritan Club Pig Pickin’ on Thursday, April 27, at the Joel C. Bradshaw Fairgrounds.
George Johnson, left, and Penny Robertson relax during the 47th annual Windsor Ruritan Club Pig Pickin’ on Thursday, April 27, at the Joel C. Bradshaw Fairgrounds.
Putting their conservation on hold briefly for a photo at the event Thursday, April 27, in Windsor are, from left, Kathy Torrence, Patrick Clark, Laura Smith and Michael Smith.
On their way to enjoy some of the food provided at the 47th annual Windsor Ruritan Club Pig Pickin’ on Thursday, April 27, are, from left, Hartley Keosavang, Becky Keosavang, Kai Keosavang and Nayland Keosavang.
From left, Chad Howell, Reuben Howell and Darla Howell smile as they take part in the Windsor Ruritan Club event Thursday, April 27, at the Joel C. Bradshaw Fairgrounds.
Pausing for a photo as they enjoy the Windsor Ruritan Club Pig Pickin’ are Cassie Powell and Corey Powell.
Windsor Ruritan Club Vice President Jackson DeMello and his mother Janine DeMello present a quilt that she made and then donated for the 50/50 raffle that was part of the 47th annual WRC Pig Pickin’ on Thursday, April 27.
Playing cornhole during the Windsor Ruritan Club Pig Pickin’ on Thursday, April 27, are Jimmy Williams, left, and Ed Holland.
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This was the 47th year for the Windsor Ruritan Club Pig Pickin’, but it was the first time the event was held at the Joel C. Bradshaw Fairgrounds. Judging by how well things went Thursday, April 27, the Pig Pickin’ is likely to return there in the future.
On Monday, May 1, Edward “Gibbie” Dowdy, who was chairman of the committee planning the event, said he and his fellow organizers were still trying to get a good count of how many people were in attendance at the fairgrounds, but it was definitely more than 500.
Also on the planning committee along with Dowdy and Windsor Ruritan Club President Jake Redd was Rebecca Duck, who noted that the number of tickets tallied as of Thursday morning, May 4, totaled more than 900.
The event featured all-you-can-eat barbecue, coleslaw, beans and cornbread, with beer and spirits.
Attendees participated in a cornhole tournament and a 50/50 raffle, and the Island Boys Band helped set the tone for the event as it performed live.
In terms of the Pig Pickin’ overall, “I’ve had rave reviews so far,” Dowdy said.
Duck also felt quite positive about how the event unfolded.
“Everything went really well,” she said. “The band was good, the food was good. We had plenty of food left over. We actually ended up selling some of that at the end for people who wanted to buy it in bulk to take home. This was our first year doing T-shirts as well, so that went really well.”
T-shirts with the event logo and sponsors were sold, with the proceeds going to charity.
“So all in all, the event, I thought it went smoothly,” Duck said, adding that the anticipated rain also held off until everyone had gone home for the evening.
“I think the (Windsor Ruritan Club) members that aren’t with us anymore would have been proud to see what (the Pig Pickin’) had gone into from Foster’s Pond to (the fairgrounds),” Duck said.
She noted that the planning committee had a great deal of help from other members, but she, Dowdy and Redd “were at the get-go of going around and getting this (event) coming back to life after being dormant for so long. The last one we had was right before COVID, and that was out where people were coming in and eating. We did do some things for takeout the year following COVID, but it just wasn’t the same.
“And then we changed locations, and I think people realize we’re now back,” she added. “I’m hoping it’ll be a lot bigger next year with more people since they know now what we’re trying to do.”
Noting again that this was the event’s debut at the fairgrounds, Dowdy added, “We’re going to work out the little kinks here and there. Overall, it was a success as far as I’m concerned and then (as far as) everybody that’s talked to me has been concerned.”
He affirmed the likelihood that the Windsor Ruritan Club will be holding the event at the fairgrounds again next year.
“Oh, that’s for sure,” he said. “I’ve already got two or three more new sponsors.”
He stated that the WRC is going to make the event its primary fundraiser.
“That’s what they used to do, and this was the main one they used to make all their money at,” he said, adding that the club uses its money to support a variety of area organizations, including those focused on the youth. “It’s all donated back into the community.”
Duck also made a point to highlight the other civic organizations that had representation April 27 at the Pig Pickin’, helping make it a success. Those organizations included the Woman’s Club of Windsor, the Purdie Masonic Lodge No. 170, the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department and the Suffolk Ruritan Club.
