‘Grillin’ time’ in Porter again!

Even though Porter is a small community, they do things in a big way there. One of those "big" things is its annual Harvest Festival, which will be held from Aug. 16-18 this year.

That event is three days of fun and festivities for the whole family. One of the most popular events of Harvest Festival is the annual Grilling Competition that will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18 at Schoeneman Memorial Park Shelter.

Those attending can purchase a plate of food for $6 (limited to 100 plates) and vote for the best griller. "The grilling contest is a very popular event and plates normally sell out," said Josh Sumption, a Harvest Festival committee member for the past 20 years.

"Judging is all by popular vote and the participants will grill anything from meats, veggies, potatoes, fish/seafood, and even dessert every once in a while."

There will be a concession stand and beer garden available all three days of Harvest Festival. T-shirts will also be available for sale. The festivities kick off with a Porter Development Supper and Fundraiser from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16 at the Porter Café. Also on Friday, there is a Lawnmower Fun Run beginning at 6 p.m., a bragging rights Co-Ed Softball Game at 7:05 p.m. that pits the North vs. the South (those living on the north or south side of the tracks), the Senior Citizen King and Queen Coronation at 7:30 p.m., and a Concert at the Park featuring “Party of 5.”

Saturday's lineup is packed full of activities for all ages. Among the activities is a free Vendor and Craft Fair, Omelet Breakfast Fundraiser for the Porter Hall, a 5k race and stroll around town, Wood Bat Softball Tournament, Tractor and Equipment Show that features corn shelling and silage cutting, kids games and mini-carnival, pony rides, water slides, burger feed, fireman-style water fights, bean bag tournament, beer garden, and free Kids’ Dance.

From 8 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, a Parking Lot Party Dance and Karaoke with Outlaw Entertainment will be held. The Porter Café is holding a Breakfast Brunch Buffet from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday.

The Bethel Lutheran Church will be hosting an Old-Time Ice Cream, Homemade Pie and BBQ Social from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday. There will also be Harvest Festival raffle drawings taking place at 7 p.m. with tickets $5 each. Sumption, also a City Councilman, said there are no official records on how long Harvest Festival has been running.

"Over 40 years for sure," he said. "And over 60 years by some accounts of people who believe it has been running since Porter's 75th anniversary in 1956."

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