Pork Fest: Diners line up for chops grilled at annual fairgrounds fundraiser

JANESVILLE — Hot weather and a brief sprinkle of rain didn’t stop people from lining up — and driving up — Wednesday to the Rock County Fairgrounds for grilled pork chops at the Rock County Pork Producers’ annual Pork Fest.

The smell of smoky meat, humid air and summer temperatures contributed to the atmosphere as people came from all over the area for dinner. Streets around the fairgrounds on Craig Avenue in Janesville were filled with cars, as some diners stayed to eat at picnic tables, while others came and went with to-go boxes.

Racks full of pork chops sizzled on a succession of large flaming grills. The meat was cooked assembly line-style by volunteers, including members of the Rock County Pork Producers and Rock County RECAP program. Local 4-H and FFA club members helped serve.

The event was a fundraiser for the Pork Producers’ scholarship fund and for purchasing animals at the Rock County 4H Fair Meat Animal Sale. There were also uncooked pork chops offered for sale to take home, and seasoning for sale to take home.

The drive-thru line, at Gate 3 off Fremont Street, stretched down the block as people waited to grab a to-go meal.

Rock County Pork Producers President Adam Pennycook said the food came from local retailers including Country Pride Meats in Clinton and Sorg’s Quality Meats and Sausages in Darien.

Pennycook said the pork was cut up Tuesday and marinated overnight before it was grilled. Grilling began a little before 4 p.m. Wednesday and the lines of people awaiting dinner had not slowed down by 6 p.m., except for during a brief rain shower around 4:45 p.m.

Tom Dorsheid and his wife Kathy, who live nearby in Janesville, said they go to the Pork Fest every year, as well as attending other events at the fairgrounds. It’s a nice dinner and way to support local agriculture, they said.

“We mark it down on our calendars,” Kathy said.

Kathy comes from a farm family, and “we just enjoy supporting local farmers,” Tom Dorsheid added, and they also know they’ll see old friends and work colleagues there.

Carol Traynor, of Milton, was serving in the walk-through line under a pavilion. A sophomore this coming fall at UW-Platteville, she is majoring in agriculture business and animal science.

Traynor, who is representing Milton FFA on this year’s Rock County Court of Honor, said Pork Fest and other events like it introduce people to agriculture and to where their food comes from.