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Sunday of Labor Day Weekend
September 1, 2024
“The Pit”
The preparation begins on Saturday night with the cooking of the meat. Two cords of oak firewood are doused with diesel fuel and set on fire at about 2 pm. The coals are finally ready eight hours later. The meat is cut into 25-pound bundles and seasoned, before being wrapped in two layers of muslin and burlap and tied with wire. The bundles of seasoned beef are then placed directly onto the coals by masked firewalkers who shovel more coals on top before they are covered with dirt by a team of shoveling volunteers. The bundles are then left to cook for 13 hours before they are pulled up and served on Sunday. The public is welcome to attend Saturday’s BBQ Prep.
On Sunday, everything starts at 11am. Bundles are pulled up, meals are served, the band starts to play, and all the fun begins.
“The Folks”
Join in the celebration of Mass at either 8 or 10 AM
BBQ will follow at 11 AM
Everyone is invited from the mountains to the coast to join with the families of Our Lady of Light Parish.
Guests will enjoy:
family fun, fantastic authentic slow cooked pit barbecued beef, homemade peach cobbler, crafts, music and more.
There is something for the entire family.
Visit “Grandpa’s Attic” for those super yard sale buys and dance those line dances to live music by the“Horseshoe Lucky” on stage.
Be sure and get those raffle tickets for many fabulous prizes and two amazing Grand Prizes of $500 each.
“The Fun”
A bit of BBQ History
Throughout the New World, the indigenous peoples of the Americas cooked in the earth. The original use of buried cooking in ground pits was done by the Native Americans for thousands of years.
Traditional Californian pit barbecuing has been replaced by modern conveniences. However, this tradition continues today in Descanso, 45 minutes east of San Diego. A small parish, Our Lady of Light, started their tradition in 1937.
A real Deep Pit BBQ! After days of prep using cords of oak firewood and locally grown beef, the pit is ignited, meat wrapped and placed in the pit. Finally 13 hours later, some of the best tasting beef is enjoyed!
“The Meat”
“Directions”
From San Diego Highway 8 East
Exit 40 C-79
Descanso -Japatul Valley Road
Turn left on 79
Go beyond the underpass 1 mile
Turn left on Riverside Drive
Proceed 3/4 of a mile to 9136 Riverside Drive, Descanso
Our Lady of Light Catholic Parish
Come for the Experience!
Be sure to share this page.
This is a community event that includes:
Art, Collectables, Household Items, Vendors, the Grand Prize Cash Drawings and lots of Unique Raffle Gifts.
Country Band, Dancing, Kids Games, and of course the Beer Garden.
Deep Pit BBQ Beef, Slaw, Beans, Rolls and Drinks are for purchase.
Famous cobbler à la mode.
Sorry no pets allowed, except service animals.
Free admission and free parking.