The seasonal sizzle of grilled meats and the familiar tunes of a polka band have marked the onset of summer at the Mary Ann Young Center for more than three decades, a tradition anchored by former Blaine Mayor Tom Ryan and his trusty grill. But this year, a baton — or rather, barbecue tong — change took place as Ryan handed over grilling duties to the Blaine Festival committee, who manned the barbecues to serve up the event's signature pork chops.
According to Blaine's official announcement, the annual pork chop dinner is a much-anticipated fixture, drawing over 200 seniors, community members, and volunteers to share in a spread of succulent sides and succulent pork chops all while a local band serenades the crowd with polka music, it's an evening dedicated to community fellowship and summer enjoyment.
The role of grill master is not a title given lightly in these parts, and Ryan's 30-plus years of dedication to perfecting the pork chop have become a part of local lore. The festival's commitment to small-town camaraderie and summer celebration couldn't be clearer, ringing through the laughter and music that fill the park each year.
