Sugar Maple is canceled, but you can get festival-thick pork chops, Big Fat Reuben and more this weekend

“Festivals are extraordinarily fun for us and we are going to miss them terribly until they come back. We believe the public feels the same way. People want to feel some semblance of normalcy even if it's just a slice at a time,” festival food vendor says.
BlackJack Grill’s pork chops are a favorite festival season in Dayton.

Credit: BlackJack Grill

Credit: BlackJack Grill

BlackJack Grill’s pork chops are a favorite festival season in Dayton.

It is literally no fair, but you can still get your favorite festival food this weekend.

The coronavirus pandemic has already prompted the cancellation or postponement of several annual fairs and festivals, including the Bellbrook Sugar Maple Festival, which was to take place this weekend, April 24-25.

>> CANCELED: We won’t be celebrating these Dayton-area festivals this year

Fret not, pork chop lovers.

Rick Schaefer of Brock Masterson's Catering-Events  and Mandy Baker of Black Jack Grill plan to bring the flavor this weekend at two separate events, all while social distancing.

Brock Mastersons Catering-Events' crabcakes are favorite festival season treat in Dayton.

Credit: Brock Mastersons Catering-Events

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Credit: Brock Mastersons Catering-Events

“We cannot bring the bands or the beer, but we can share a good memory through the gift of food and hope for better things to come when COVID-19 is behind us,” Schaefer told this news organization.

>> CONCERT UPDATE: James Taylor postponed, Alice Cooper canceled, numerous shows rescheduled

One event, Brock Masterson's is Grilling up Festival Favorites, is set for 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, April 23, at  Brock Masterson's Catering-Events office, 450 Patterson Road in Kettering. 
The menu will include the Big Fat Reuben; wild caught salmon hash with dill sauce; Crabbie Hash; double cheese burgers; boneless pork chop sandwich and Brock's 3 Potato Hash covered with Dill Sauce.

Brock Mastersons Catering-Events' potatoes  are favorite festival season treat in Dayton.

Credit: Brock Mastersons Catering-Events

icon to expand image

Credit: Brock Mastersons Catering-Events

Meanwhile, BlackJack Grill will sell its beloved pork chop sandwich for $8 each and bottles of seasoning for $6 from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at 1201 Lord Fitzwalter Drive in Miamisburg.

The BlackJack event is cash only.

“The cancellation of many festivals has been very scary for us and all of your support to help us this weekend has warmed our hearts so much,” a post on BlackJack’s Facebook page reads. “We have the best groupies ever.”

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Patrons will be asked to remain in their cars at both events.

“We intend to staff this heavily to reduce wait times to a minimum,” Schaefer said. “The staff will be wearing gloves and masks and socially distancing.”

Brock Mastersons Catering-Events' pork chops are favorite festival season treat in Dayton.

Credit: Brock Mastersons Catering-Events

icon to expand image

Credit: Brock Mastersons Catering-Events

His business has been serving carryout and delivery meals.

Schaefer said he and his staff love to cook for the public as a whole.

>> One of the Dayton area’s ‘best’ sports bars reopening for carryout this week

“Festivals are extraordinarily fun for us and we are going to miss them terribly until they come back,” he said. “We believe the public feels the same way. People want to feel some semblance of normalcy even if it's just a slice at a time.”

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