By STEVE PETERS
Can you smell it? It’s the sweet, smoky scent of slowly roasting pork that will once again permeate downtown Rutland for several mouth-watering days next week. In the third public pig roast since last spring, Chef Donald Billings, his staff at Roots the Restaurant and several volunteers will appease the hungry crowds that are expected to gather April 30 at a benefit for the Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum.
“I feel that our pig roasts bring in a lot of attention,” says Billings. “That’s why it makes it a good kickstart for them. It says hey guys, we’re real now and we’re not just talk.”
Roots, along with Earth Waste Systems, will once again sponsor the roast, an event that not only brings together the masses to share some quality soul food, but one that is also coming to embody downtown Rutland’s sense of community spirit.
The first pig roast, held last April, was for the Rutland Chamber of Commerce’s monthly mixer and attracted more than 275 people — making it one of their largest mixers to date. Then, in August came the second roast to acknowledge the first anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene and raise funds for Restoring Rutland and the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link. More than 600 people turned out, quickly and unexpectedly, causing the pork supply to run dry.
Now, as Wonderfeet seeks a permanent home, all money generated from the upcoming roast will go directly to the museum. And anywhere from 800 to 1,000 people are anticipated to come out to go hog wild while learning a little more about the museum and enjoying tunes from DanK and the Funksticks and John Gillette. More…
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