August 2003

My Thoughts About the Annual Pig Roast

Every year, a whole lotta people gather at my brother's house in upstate New York for his annual Pig Roast. Dozens of tents crowd in his back yard, behind the pool, in what he calls 'Tent City.' His lush, green lawn is long and t-shaped, with tent city on one side, and a sand volleyball court on the other. Between the two is an ample stretch of green for tossing a frizbee or playing catch. Closer to his house you find a huge vegetable garden on one side, and a giant barn on the other. The hand-made brick driveway bends around the house. All day long, people with food, drink and what-not walk in and out of the barn, tents and his house, enjoying goodies.

Early in the day, one of my cousins will climb in the trees and on the house to set up a cover for the stage and set up a large strings of large lights. He is a tree climbing genius.

Sometimes when I ask people if they want to attend my brother's Pig Roast, they give me a strange look, as if I'd just asked them to look at a rash on my butt. For some reason, some people actually need a reason to attend a Pig Roast other than the Pig Roast itself.

My brother's Pig Roast is a quintessential day of celebration necessary in the summer time. Unlike the average cook-outs of summer, at the Pig Roast, you are part of a giant community gathering together around a pig to see old friends, meet new friends, and be happy. (I have been at every pig roast since it's inception in 1997. Godzilla drove up with me. He has missed only one, and that was because of a poorly timed car accident.)

A first-timer to the Pig Roast may be a bit overwhelmed at first, but that will pass. With so much to drink and eat and see, it only seems like you have very little time to enjoy everything, but you'd be wrong. I've found that there is time for everything at Pig Roast.

While you are waiting for the pig to be cooked, you will find that under each large white tent, old friends are chatting away about this and that. You may know one of them, and you'll join the conversation. After a few minutes, you may have two or three new acquaintances, well on their way to being your friends. Sure, this may sound a bit idealistic, but it's true. There are tons of really great people here. Many have come from hundreds of miles away, even thousands (Australians!)

With a slew of garage bands playing on the stage, one after the other, you will find either a very good reason to sing along, or laugh out loud. This may be a perfect day, but no one invited any perfect people.

As the day winds down and turns into night, more people will arrive, younger and hungrier. You'll hear the splashing of skinny-dippers in the background, and the crackle of the bon fire in the drive-way. As you walk, stumble, or are dragged back to your tent, you'll be too tired to contemplate your day. That's fine. There is no need to deconstruct what happened here today just yet. Give it some time.

Those of you who are attending the Pig Roast, I can't wait to eat some pig and drink a beer with you. There is time for that, I promise. See you soon!