WHEELING - Visitors to Wheeling's Heritage Port on Saturday added the word "beautiful" to the Bikes, Brews and Bar-B-Que event, describing not only the food and music, but also picture-perfect weather.
Through the efforts of Valley Harley-Davidson, Carenbauer Distributing Corp. and the Ohio Valley Black Heritage Festival Committee, the Bikes Brews and Barb-B-Que will continue today with the Ohio Valley Black Heritage Festival Family Fun Day. Starting at 1 p.m., there will be a host of local groups providing gospel music on the main outdoor stage sponsored by WesBanco. The Original Five Blind Boys of Mississippi will take center stage.
In addition to gospel music acts, there will be a children's tent offering face painting starting at 2 p.m., bounce inflatables from 2-6 p.m., a Lowe's children's workshop from 3-4 p.m., and clowns and balloons and a special appearance by Wheeling Nailers mascot Spike between 4-6 p.m.
Article Photos
The first place and people’s choice awards at the Bikes, Brews & Bar-B-Que Rib Cookoff on Saturday at Heritage Port went to The Swhinery. Shown with the awards are from left, Shawn Verosky, chef; Carl Carenbauer frm Carenbauer Distributing Corp., a sponsor; Christopher Verosky, chef; and Megan Simcox, from Valley-Harley Davidson, also a sponsor.
Photo by Heather Ziegler
At 5 p.m., awards will be presented, including for the African American of the Year - the Rev. Marcia Allen, a Martins Ferry resident and executive director of Laughlin Memorial Chapel in Wheeling. The 2012 Role Model Honorees are Pamela Paige Dudley, a special educator and collaborative teacher for Brooke County Schools, and John Moore Jr., executive vice president of human resources for WesBanco. And the 2012 Special Honor of Thanks will go to Sean Geery who has worked as the sound technician for the festival since its inception.
On Saturday, the crowd swelled by late afternoon intermingling with an even larger crowd heading into WesBanco Arena to view professional wrestling. Music filled the port as band after band entertained from the main stage.
The tantalizing smell of barbecued foods, however, is what brought many to the waterfront to sample the various recipes cooked by participating chefs in the rib cookoff. Barbecue chairman Bill Brooks announced the winners after judges licked their fingers and wiped sauce from their faces.
Taking first place and the people's choice awards was The Swhinery with Christopher and Shawn Verosky collecting the trophy and $500 cash prize provided by Valley Harley-Davidson.In second place, was RNT and third place went to PhartinBarks.
Carl Carenbauer from Carenbauer Distributing thanked the crowd for the great turnout.
"What better place to have this today with good music, good beer and good people. I hope to see you all here again next year," Carenbauer said.
Brooks told the crowd that the event committee is looking for ideas to improve the festival and urged visitors to contact him or any members of the committee with suggestions.
Megan Simcox from Valley Harley echoed those comments and said Valley Harley enjoys being a part of the now annual event.
