Harris, Walz make barbecue stop in Sandfly

The Harris-Walz campaign opened its Savannah-area bus tour Wednesday with political pundits across the nation pondering weighty issues of whether the events showed Georgia to be either a red or blue state.

In Sandfly , the Chatham County community surrounding the intersection of Skidaway Road and Ferguson Avenue, the discussion was no less serious: brisket or ribs?

Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, stopped for barbecue at the hallowed locally owned Sandfly BBQ for a taste of smoked meat and some glad handing. The resulting traffic jam caused by the more than two-dozen vehicle convoy toting the Democratic Party presidential candidate through Coastal Georgia gummed streets and roads around the restaurant for about an hour.

But Keith Latture, owner of Ferguson Avenue restaurant, was ready. He said he’d had a day’s notice for a possible visit, but wasn’t certain until Wednesday that he’d have special guests for dinner.

Latture said Harris ordered a brisket plate with macaroni and cheese and collards for sides. Walz had a brisket sandwich and coleslaw. Both political luminaries were friendly and easy-going, he said. Their orders were packed for the road.

While the Harris campaign team were deciding on menu choices, outside the restaurant the neighborhood crowd of a couple hundred people built steadily, as word spread on social media that the political leaders had dropped by the neighborhood. True to the Hostess City manners, local residents clustered near the intersections and adjacent parking lots, but didn’t  block passing cars.

The bright blue Harris-Walz campaign bus parked to the left side of Ferguson Avenue and more than 30 police and entourage vehicles filled the small strip mall parking lot in double rows and others trailed down Skidaway Road all the way to the next stop light at Montgomery Cross Road.

A handful of press pool journalists and others went inside the restaurant with the candidates. Secret Service agents stood along the street forbidding anyone else to cross for about 30 minutes..

Despite clear lines of Harris-Walz supporters among the crowd, some residents waved two large Trump flags. Yet the diverse gathering remained cordial with one another. Chants of “Kam-a-La, Kam-a-La” broke out periodically and the Trump fans tried to match it for a minute.

If the gathered masses were hoping for a glimpse of the Vice President, the first Black woman to run for president for a major party ticket, they were disappointed. Secret Service lines were tight, and Harris got straight into a black SUV at the restaurant door and pulled away, followed by the bus and the long line of vehicles.

For at least one onlooker, the historic event was unforgettable. “It’s the biggest thing EVER in Sandfly,” said one woman, as she snapped pics of the police and line of vehicles. “We’ll be talking about this FOREVER.” she added, while running to her car to deliver pizzas from the Papa John’s across the street.