Some of my first memories as a small child are of the BBQs my great grandfather hosted in his backyard for the Shriners that came to town for the local 4th of July parade. Parade stock lined up the street in front of my grandparent's house was a fantastic playground for a 4-5 year old child. I also had my first musical performances at these picnics as my Great Grandmother had taught me how to sing songs like "God Bless America" while she played piano to show me off to the Nobles and their Ladies. I have always cherished these memories and dreamed about the day I could pull off something like those grand BBQs. This past Saturday I got my first chance to do just that.
Earlier this summer my Dad, a couple close friends of mine and I joined the El Katif Shrine together. What an amazing summer of parades and fellowship with great people who are always out to have fun and be positive role models in the process. We had all made an offer after we had been initiated that if the Clubs and Units of our Shrine came to the parade on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend we would feed them. Initially we weren't sure that we would get it done, but about a month before we got word that the Potentate had told everyone that they should attend and that he would be coming himself. My first emotion was excitement as I would finally have the chance to host a Shrine BBQ then came reality "Oh crap, how am I gonna pull this off?"
Well if it weren't for the help of my wonderful girlfriend and my parents there is no way I would have gotten it done. I did have some experience throwing lodge picnics and dinners but they are usually much more muted affairs. In my memory Shrine BBQs and events were legendary parties that people talk about for months afterward. I had never done anything that grand.
As a few RSVPs rolled in we were expecting between 12-15 people. Well that wasn't too bad considering it is the first year and its in Ritzville, which is well out of everyone's way. Usual thought is to plan for 25% more people than you receive RSVPs for and we had enough pulled pork, cole slaw and baked beans for 20 people. I was a little concerned but something told me we would have enough food. I smoked the pork for 12 hours with a hickory smoke and then wrapped it tight in foil and baked it for another 4 hours. The baked beans were cooked 3 days in advance and mom and dad were making the cole slaw and picking up the plates. The morning before the parade I pulled the pork and added my homemade sauce. It was turning out as good as could be expected. The parade units would be showing up in about 2 hours so we had plenty of time to go to the Senior Center for their fundraising breakfast. I even got to sit down with a fellow Shriner and his wife at breakfast and chat for awhile. Then it happened. As we were leaving the breakfast and going back to the car the parade units were already in town and there were twice as many people as had RSVP'd. Mom and Terrie immediately started to panic. Somehow there was enough food to go around though. As we kept reaching into the pan that held the pulled pork there was still more. We fed 40 people on Saturday! I can't believe we had enough. Everyone left with a smile on their face and a spring in their step.
Well our BBQ wasn't grand but it was well attended, enjoyed and extremely well appreciated. I can't believe it we pulled it off!!!
