IRONTON —
For members of the “Broke Smokers,” Ironton’s Rally on the River is an annual reunion with old friends and new buddies they’ve yet to meet.
“The best thing about this is meeting the people. We’ve made new friends the last six years,” said Craig Wakefield of Phillipsburg, Ohio while tending a massive smoker filled with pork and ears of fresh corn on the cob along with fellow Broke Smokers Dale Mears and Chet Hoops, both of Brookville.
The smokers meet in ironton each year armed with plenty of food and a desire to feed anyone who happens to come by. After six years of getting together, and setting up a large teepee to mark their campsite behind The Laidback in Hanging Rock, the friends have earned a reputation for their grub. With pride apparent, Wakefield said this year’s food will be accented by a secret-recipe “Alabama white sauce” expected to be a big hit with the crowd.
“It could be 200 to 300 easily this year,” he said when asked how many the crew expected to feed Friday evening. “We feed anybody who shows up.”
At the Friends of Ironton bar set up on one side of the main stage in downtown Ironton, “Budweiser Girls” Savannah Sparks of Ashland, Kristin Mayo of Logan and Megan Johnson of Ashland reported the crowd at Rally On The River 2012 was friendly and eager to have a good time. The girls explained their job is to represent the popular brand of beer while handing out cards, posing for photos and pointing patrons toward the tristatebrew.com website.
“It’s been a happening bunch, that’s for sure,” said Sparks.
While the band Mayday pumped out songs including “Stuck in the Middle with You),” and “867-5309 Jenny,” David Maynard and Nikki Thacker of Chesapeake enjoyed a meal while seated at the other side of the parking lot. Maynard said this is probably the fifth time he’s attended the Rally On The River, noting he appreciates the atmosphere and the people.
“It’s like a street party,” Maynard said. “Everybody is calm and there’s great rock and roll.”
The 2012 Rally On The River continues today with Gypsy Rose on the main stage at 4 p.m., followed by the Parade of Heroes at 5:15 p.m. and a military tribute at 6 p.m. The band Earthquakers, Stone Machine and My Darkest Days will finish out the evening’s musical entertainment. Swimsuit contest finals will begin at 10 p.m. in the Rona Theater followed by Rebel Son, with Reaul and Black Stone Cherry on the main stage afterward.
The International Bikini Team will also be tending bar at “Friend’s Place” inside the Rona Theater.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.
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