September 27, 2017 at 4:35 p.m.
Beef-A-Rama: The table is set
'Moooove' on down to Minocqua this weekend for another 'well done' event
Beef-A-Rama: The table is set
By By Raymond T. Rivard-
It's grown from that seed of gratitude into one of the most unusual, if not sometimes bizarre events in the entire state of Wisconsin - and the town's premiere happening that has drawn well over 10,000 visitors in recent years.
It keeps growing and continues to be a singular event, one that can only be found in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
What's evolved as festivities that have had more of an "adult" feel over the years now continues to be hailed by Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce officials as a "family" event, considering the recent additions of the kids' games, the bounce house, face painting, the craft show, the non-profit organizations looking to families for support, the raffles, and of course the petting zoo.
"We want to stress the importance of this event as family-friendly," Minocqua chamber director Krystal Westfahl said. "There's plenty of other things happening that are really for the families who come to the event," she added.
The history of the event is rich and deep with character ... and characters. From Harold Helterhoff, who formed the original concept into an event, to John Ford, aka The Spice King, to Woody Woodruff, and all of those who have grown to love the event, continue to dress up, and keep coming back year after year.
The concept is simple: Businesses sign up for a roast, they do their best to come up with a recipe that's better than everybody else's, and then share their cuisine creation with judges who make their rounds throughout the day tasting and deciding on the award winners.
If you're planning to get through town before the road closes for the day, you better do so before 7:30 a.m., because that's when city crews will place the barriers to close the four-block-plus stretch of Highway 51.
Because we all know that getting downtown can be a challenge throughout the day, shuttles to and from the Island will begin at 7 a.m. and will continue until 8 p.m. The shuttles will pick up riders and drop them off at four separate locations.
"We'll be doing the same shuttle service as we did last year," Westfahl said. "There will be four places where people will be able to park and hop on the shuttle - on the south side is Builder's First Source and Hribar Corporation/Truck Country, and on the north side is Lakeland Union High School and Trig's parking lot overflow between Trig's and Wal-Mart. LUHS is the most popular spot for the shuttle, but we want to let people know there are four places total where they can catch the shuttle."
"The shuttle is free, but to park a car costs $3 with as many people in the car as you want," Westfahl continued. "This offsets the cost of the shuttle and security as well as those who park the cars. It helps make this a fun and enjoyable event for everybody and makes it safe. That's where the money goes back to."
More than just beef
There is much more to Beef-A-Rama than just the beef. For sure, you will not be asking "where's the beef?" at the event, but with the weekend comes other events sure to draw visitors to town early and allow them to stay late.
The weekend's events get started Friday, Sept. 29, when WRJO Radio will kick off a live radio broadcast from the Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce offices at 10 a.m.
That same evening, from 6 to 9 p.m., the Lakeland Rotary will be on hand at the American Legion Hall to register those interested in participating in the Rump Roast Run set for Saturday morning.
Also Friday night, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., The Lincoln Boys Band will perform live music in the beer garden at Torpy Park, a musical opening sponsored by the Minocqua Island Business Association.
That's only the beginning, because on the event's main day, Saturday, Sept. 30, things kick off early - usually around 6 a.m., with the firing up of roasters and the beginnings of many entries into the beef roasting contest.
In addition, there will be another registration opportunity for the Rump Roast Run. The registration begins at 7 a.m., again at the American Legion Hall.
By the time 8:15 a.m. rolls around, the youngsters will have gathered at the start line for the Lakeland Rotary's Calf Mile Run for Kids - an event followed at 9 a.m. by the adult runners' timed event - the Lakeland Rotary's Rump Roast Run.
In fact, 9 a.m. is the kickoff for a number of morning events, some extending well into the afternoon and early evening.
Those events will include WRJO's live radio broadcast (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) from Torpy Park, and a performance from Red Ben and the Missing Miles (9 to 11 a.m.) also at Torpy Park.
The kids can continue to be involved by visiting the bounce house (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to be set up on the lower level of Torpy Park. For parents, grandparents, and friends, a stroll on over to the Prime Choice Craft Show (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), might be a good choice. That's where you can find that special gift. The craft show is also scheduled to be set up on the lower level at Torpy Park and will include more than 100 crafters, more than ever, according to Westfahl.
For those who want to pick up their official Beef-A-Rama apparel, sales will be held in Torpy Park 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The next round of events beginning at the 10 a.m. hour include festivities across the Island - everything from beef sandwich sales (Torpy Park), beer sales (Torpy Park and Chicago Street), face painting (Veterans Park), kids' games (Torpy Park), live music (Corey Carlson at Chicago Street), a petting zoo (Veterans Park), and a chainsaw carving demonstration (Widdlin' Fool).
The 11 a.m. hour will bring the judges front and center as they begin their duties around the Island. The judges will make their rounds until 1:45 p.m. Say hello to them as they carry out their arduous task.
Also to be held at 11 a.m. are kids' activities (Redman Realty), and the opportunity to get in on the Cow Pie Plop and mechanical bull sponsored by the Lakeland Hawks Ice Arena at Island City Ice Cream. The Beef Eating Contest also gets under way at Torpy Park - a tasty event sponsored by Associated Bank.
At noon, live music will again fill the air across the Island. The Lincoln Boys will kick it up at Torpy Park and Useful Jenkins will crank it out from the Rotary Beer Garden on Chicago Street.
Then the event everyone anticipates throughout the day - the Parade of Roasters down Oneida Street - will begin at 3 p.m. Be sure to get to your best vantage point along the route starting at Redman Realty on the south side and runs north all the way to Torpy Park.
"At 3 p.m. is our roasters parade," Westfahl said. "Before last year we always paraded the roasts down main street to Torpy Park where it got sliced up, but due to health concerns we are not doing that anymore. The parade is for our roasters after they are judged and will allow them to get down to Torpy Park for the awards ceremony. They can carry their roasts, but they have to take them home. They won't be sliced up and sold. We have that all under control over at Torpy Park with our professional roasting team.
"We work with Devine Innovations. This will be the second year working with them," she continued. "They have a huge trailer with four gigantic charcoal roasters ... so it's all timed out and it makes it a lot easier for us to make sure we've got sandwiches coming at regular intervals. You've seen the lines of people that start at 10 a.m., so we have to be sure to have a consistent amount of meat coming, that it's being sliced, and we are making sandwiches consistently. That way we can feed everyone with official roast beef sandwiches."
After all the fun at the parade, scoot on over to Torpy Park where the official Awards Ceremony and the Beef Raffle drawing are scheduled to be held at 3:15 p.m.
But that's not it ... the music won't stop and the celebration continues as Corey Carlson will play at the Rotary Beer Garden on Chicago Street from 3 to 5 p.m., and will be followed at 5 p.m. by the Whitehouse Players at the beer garden. They play until 9 p.m.
Note to everyone: Highway 51 will be reopened at 5 p.m.
If you have a hankerin' to walk back over to Torpy Park, you will hear the sounds of Reality Bites (4 to 8:30 p.m.), a band being sponsored by the Minocqua Lions Club.
Once again, Minocqua opens its doors for the most unusual and creative events devised for a community's celebration.
Fun for adults, kids, visitors and residents alike will abound.
And from on high, if one listens closely enough above the din that is Beef-A-Rama, the likes of Harold Helterhoff, The Spice King, Don Walker, and Woody Woodruff can be heard clapping and saying in unison, "Well done ..."
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