Irish Picnic in McEwen Dates Back to 1854
It’s a celebration that traces its roots back to 1854. The Irish Picnic at Saint Patrick’s School in McEwen, Tennessee, is said to be the oldest continuously running festival in the state, and it’s not by the luck of the Irish that it draws some 25,000 visitors each year.
Hard work and dedication from parents, friends and family combined with some 21,000 pounds of barbecue pork slow cooked over hickory-bark coals make this a delicious and fun tradition.
This 165-year-old tradition features 21,00 pounds of slow-cooked barbecue pork, game booths and activities for the kids, live music and dancing. This event, which takes place on the last Friday and Saturday of July, serves as a fundraiser for the school and brings the community together year after year.
For more information about the picnic and the school, contact the parish office at (931) 582-3493.
I was fortunate to attend the Irish Picnic while a student there from 1945-1947. I was given a dime and was told to have fun while both parents worked. Cousin Phil Ross and wife, Laura, used to put in many hours. Hope you havea great turnout this year.
GO IRISH!!
I have been to the Irish Picnic many times with my wife and children. We’re going again this year. It is the standard by which all pork shoulders should be measured. I enjoy Friday evening standing in the smoke and smelling all the flavor, then returning early the next morning to choose my whole shoulder. Thank God for good food.
Best BBQ Sauce in the world. It is wonderful fun, the food and fellowship is outstanding. Keep it up Irish.
I’ve been going for 30 years or better…the best Bar-B-Q Ive ever tasted.
My husband and I come each year to enjoy the food and fun. This year I really loved the coleslaw that was served with the plate lunch. If it is possible to get the recipe I would love to fix it at home. This was the best slaw I have ever had.
Boil one cup of vinegar with one cup of sugar. Add 1 teaspoon turmeric. Pour over cabbage mixture. Makes one gallon. Glad you liked it.
Cabbage mixture? How much and what is the mixture?
Been attending since 1983, always love the atmosphere of family’s and friends and out if town vistors. Music, the food, laughter, dancing. Seeing folks you don’t get to see very often, catching up on past, present and future. Always a welcoming warm festival to be a part of.
Out of town vistors I meant. Mistypo there. 🙂
My husband is Robert McEwen. We were Raised in Anaconds , Mt. His dad was a Canidian who moved to Anaconda as a young man. Became a U.S. citizen and met a youg gal who had come from Ireland. He joined the Catholic Church and they were married. Lived their whole life in Anaconda and had 5 children. One died as a child. My husband and l have lived in several states. We moved from Michigan to Southern In. In the 70’s. Was playing on the internet and saw where there was a McEwen, Tn. We took a ride down there in June of this yr.with a daughter and 2 grandchildren. Truely enjoyed ourselves. Was surprised to see that the Catholic Picnic in. 2017 falls on our 60th wedding anniversary
We still do Bill but it’s such a great cause. Work with so many fantastic people with the same same goal.
How can I purchase some of the BBQ sauce? Health h issues do not allow me to make the trip this year.
Does anyone remember a barbecue resturant called Uncle Noe’s in the area. My mother took me there as a young child. I can’t remember exactly where it was located. Thanks for any help. Lee Maxwell
Do you still have any bbq sauce I am one of the men that came to help clean up from the turney center and I love your bbq sauce john bates