Adventures come in many forms and the Irish Picnic is no different. The last Friday and Saturday in July the picturesque small town of McEwen, Tennessee (about an hour West of Nashville) goes from less than 2,000 residents to a (temporary) community of over 20,000 for the weekend.
In a town where everyone knows everyone (and probably at least 3 generations back), where stop lights and parking meters aren’t needed, and where everyone waves as you pass them on the road, something magical happens the last weekend in July – for that weekend, people from all over the country (and other countries too) get to be part of the community. Even if only for the weekend.
The formal name is St. Patrick’s Irish Picnic and Homecoming. To locals it is fondly known as “the picnic.” Ever been to a family reunion? The Irish Picnic is similar. Except instead of just your family, it’s the whole town. Oh, and around 20,000 other people too.
WELCOME TO THE IRISH PICNIC
The Irish Picnic has several claims to fame. It has been in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s largest Outdoor Barbecue. The barbecue sauce is also world famous. A famous person or two have graced the crowds with their musical abilities and a country music video has been recorded there.
And there’s plenty of fun to be had and things to do from eating to dancing to many carnival type games. But what makes the Irish Picnic so special is the theme of the 165 years (and counting) event, A hundred thousand welcomes or Céad Míle Fáilte. This Irish Welcome is felt throughout the picnic and throughout all those who attend.
HISTORY
The heart of this welcome goes back to the very first Irish Picnic…. The town of McEwen, Tennessee, back in the 1800s was a railroad town. Many Irish immigrants worked on building the railroad through Tennessee and a fair number of them settled in what was McEwen. Thus, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church was built along with a school a few years later. In 1864 the church needed a new bell. The community banded together with the first Irish Picnic to raise the funds for the bell, and the community continues to support the picnic to this day. While it remains a fundraiser for the Church school, it is a homecoming for the whole community. It is neighbor helping neighbor and a whole lot more.
THE BARBECUE
In the South, barbecue isn’t just a food choice, it is its own category on the food pyramid. If you are a lover of all things barbecue the Irish Picnic barbecue will delight every taste bud you have. I’ve been to decades worth of picnics and never cease to be amazed that such superior barbecue can be made in such large quantities and every serving turn out as well as the last. If you are curious, over 20,000 pounds of pork barbecue is cooked every year on permanent pits on the grounds. And it is done by volunteers. (Volunteers who cook in the July heat so it is prepared). By the sandwich or by the pound, it is delicious. And even in those large quantities, don’t wait until the end of the picnic because it will probably be sold out!
When you make that much barbecue, all those volunteers need to eat too. And that’s where my favorite barbecue at the Irish Picnic comes in. The Friday of the picnic, at around noon, they pull off several thousand barbecue chickens to feed the volunteers and sell to the public. Fair warning though, if you want chicken, have someone in line before 11:00, or you will likely not get to purchase a chicken. Even though the picnic isn’t officially open, the chicken sells out quick! And don’t worry about the long wait in line, it gives you plenty of time to catch up with old friends (and those you just met too).
IRISH PICNIC BARBECUE SAUCE
This wonderful barbecue sauce is world famous and with good reason. Nothing tastes batter than a secret sauce. The sauce recipe is known only to one person. Yep. Just one person in the whole wide world knows the recipe (and he ain’t telling). The sauce recipe comes directly from Ireland when the Walsh family first immigrated and settled in McEwen. Currently only Frank Walsh knows the exact recipe. The recipe is literally kept in a vault and when Frank Walsh passes, they key will be handed off to his designated family member. Secret or no secret, the sauce is completely yummy!
And if barbecue is not something you like there are a few other food choices such as hamburgers. And there are plenty of choices in the not as healthy but fun treat category such as ice cream and funnel cakes.
GAMES
Feeling competitive? There are various game booths that everyone from toddlers to adults will surely enjoy. Some are skill and some are luck (but you’ve got the luck of the Irish at this affair).
There are numerous other activities for the young and young at heart from face painting to bouncy houses and slides. Whether participating or watching, there’s plenty to entertain.
LIVE MUSIC AND DANCING
Friday evening until closing on Saturday night provides a schedule of live music under the pavilion. You can bring your lawn chair or have a seat on the bleachers to chat and take a break. There is a dance floor also where young and old alike show their best moves under the parachute canopy. And, if a sudden downpour arises you can keep yourself dry.
If you are a history buff a portion of the church and/or school has memorabilia and items on the history of the Irish Picnic on display.
There is also a silent auction and a booth with all sorts of picnic attire and souvenirs. (I simply cannot go anywhere without buying a t-shirt.)
For next year’s dates, hours and all the details be sure to click here.
If you have ever dreamed of being part of a large family, or living in a small town, you will be delighted with the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the Irish Picnic.
Not only will you feel 100,000 times welcomed, but you will see that when it comes to the Irish Picnic, everyone is welcomed and if, only for a weekend, everyone is home.
Until next year… Céad Míle Fáilte!
Do you have a favorite Picnic activity or memory? Feel free to share in the comments.
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