JACKSON – In the span of two decades a whole lot of hot dogs, hamburgers and most notably, pork has been cooked up for the Jackson Police Benevolent Association 168’s annual Pig Roast.
This year marked the PBA’s 20th Pig Roast and the family event once again filled the Clarence Brown Picnic Area in Pine Park on West County Line Road in Lakewood. The event ran featured food, carnival games, raffles, children’s inflatable attractions and much more.
Along with the food, the event drew fans of shore area band Shorty Long and The Jersey Horns who performed during the day. Shorty Long sported sunglasses, a cowboy hat and rode a miniature John Deer tractor to the cheers of the audience as he sang and joked with the audience.
Children’s face painting, rock climbing and giveaways were also part of the fun.
As always, the event provided an opportunity for residents to get to know members of the Jackson Police Department in a relaxing environment. It also provided a chance for the township’s many service organizations such as the Jackson Kiwanis, Rotary and Elks Lodge to support the effort serving and cooking food throughout the day.
Members of the community’s emergency response units and fire departments were also on hand to meet the public and demonstrate their services.
Police Sgt. Fred Meabe once again served as coordinator of the event, joined by a number of his fellow PBA members. He explained that the event grew so large over time that it outgrew park facilities in Jackson itself years ago.
Meabe noted that more than a thousand people on average turn out for the event even when there is a threat of rain.
PBA President Joe Candido, a patrolman on the force, said that “in the last 20 years we’ve been very lucky that we’ve only had rain twice. We have quite a crowd here today.”
“This is a great family event. We try to change out the rides a bit each year and this year we have Shorty Long who is very popular in the area,” Candido said.
“We have about five to six guys on the department who serve as the core organizing committee and 10 others that help out in shifts,” Meabe said. “The Kiwanis Club is a big supporter. They do all the cooking which helps us out a lot.”
Council Vice President Barry Calogero praised the efforts of the officers who put on the event. “PBA 168 is the best. They do a wonderful community service and they keep us all safe 24/7.”
Councilman Andrew Kern was also enjoying the event with members of his family. Kern said much like Jackson Day, the annual Pig Roast is a special fall event for Jackson Township.
“It is a fantastic day to come out and for citizens to meet up and have fun with some great food,” Kern said.
“The spirit of Jackson is alive and well,” Calogero added.
This marked Lori Bonser’s first Jackson PBA Pig Roast. The former township resident now lives in Tinton Falls but she joined family to enjoy the day.
“It is better than I thought. We wanted to come out and support all the police officers. They have a lot of stuff going on here today for the children and I have some nieces here today,” Bonser said.
[adrotate banner="278"]“I think I like the food and entertainment best. I didn’t know what to expect but I’ll do it again next year,” she added.
Freehold resident Joan Oldsey joined her daughter Pat and her son-in-law Jeff Riker for the event.
“This is my second year for this. There is a nice atmosphere in the air and good company,” Oldsey said.
Pat Riker added that “the food is always good.”
