On the first Saturday in June I was able to join together with some family and friends for what has become one of my top three favorite events of the year - the Blowin’ The Doors Off BBQ in Oconto.

Since its inception in 2001, Jody and I have missed the BBQ a total of three times (not counting the year it wasn’t held due to the pandemic). Last year was one of those times, as someone scheduled our family reunion that same day. I made sure that did not happen again!

I have considered myself a “foodie” all my life - you might say food is my “love language”. And while it was the lure of a good smokey brisket and saucy ribs that initially brought me to the event, that is not the only thing that has kept me coming back. There’s just something about the atmosphere, far beyond the mouth-watering scent filling the air.

It is the sounds of the band on the stage that sometimes forgets the words or hits the wrong note. It is the lawn chairs, kids chasing each other, the old man tapping his foot and singing along to the song that takes him back to his younger years. It is basic, and simple. Small town America. And it is wonderful.

I have the feeling that is also what keeps so many of the same cookers and judges returning year after year. The winners don’t go home with a big cash prize at the end of the day. Yet they keep coming back.

The crazier the world gets the more we long to go back to a quieter time. That is exactly what community festivals do. For just a day or two we get to all be somewhat of a kid again. Don’t you miss that? The taste of an ice cold popsicle on a hot day, riding your bike uptown with a quarter in your pocket to get a bottle of pop with your friends?

We have another opportunity to relive the nostalgia next weekend with the Pioneer Picnic - another of my favorite annual events. Never mind that the parade floats might be very similar to last years, or that the candy being thrown out is not what you would ever buy for the kids because they probably wouldn’t eat it unless it came from the fire truck.

You don’t find this kind of simplicity in the city. You could fight a million people to line the streets around Central Park to watch a parade in New York City, or crowd onto a bleacher in the sun in Pasadena for the Rose Parade - but honestly, just the thought stresses me out!

There is something so special about small-town celebrations. Even if you don’t know the people in the town, everyone becomes like family.

Lots of events and activities will be taking place across our region in the next couple of weeks, as America celebrates her 250th birthday. It is a great opportunity for all of us to come together in solidarity and gratitude for the beautiful place we live, the wonderful life we’ve been given, and the sacrifices it has taken to get us here.