Scott Fraser’s goal for this year’s Pigfest was to have the world’s largest cinder block smoke pit, which would have been the first record of its kind.
The pit could be seen in the background as thousands of people lined up to get a taste of what was on the day’s main menu.
The pit was made out of 1,000 cinder blocks and took volunteers hours to build. It was documented and photographed in a bid to win a place in the Guinness World Records.
Fraser said the Guinness entry is still being processed.
“To have them come out would’ve cost $20,000,” Fraser said. “We raise $20,000 during a day like this and I’d rather it go to one of our charities.”
Pigfest raised money for the North Whidbey Help House, Citizens Against Domestic Abuse and Medical Safety Net of North Whidbey.
Last year’s festival raised $27,000 for the charities.
Although not an official Guinness record yet, the pit did cook more meat this year than any other year – 4,000 pounds.
Pit designer John Ryan said the design helped the meat really capture the smoke and pointed it out in the finished product.
“The pink – that’s the smoke ring.”
“That’s one of the first things [a judge] will look for,” he explained, pointing to a faint pink stripe toward one end of one piece of meat.
The proof is in the pudding, or in this case, in the barbecue.
The festival drew about 20 barbecue competitors who competed in pork butt, pork ribs, chicken and brisket.
In addition to the barbecue competition, a pie-eating and a wing-eating competition, live music, games for kids and plenty of good food created another favorite Oak Harbor community event.
Hungry pie-eating competitors of all ages during a the tense moment before the race began. Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times
The potentially Guinness record-setting smoke pit designed by John Ryan was a constant feature of Pigfest on last Sunday. Leader Scott Fraser said the bid has been submitted for the 1,000 cinder block smoke pit. Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times
The huge smoke pit turned out some piping hot and flavorful barbecue meat, which was served to the thousands of people who came out to Pigfest on Sunday. Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times
Pink was the color of the day of Oak Harbor’s 11th annual Pig Fest on Sunday, Aug. 12. Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times
