Food trucks and beautiful dogs this Saturday, May 2

I don’t know how many people I have told about the Bucks County Kennel Club Show in the last few weeks. Most have never heard of it. This coming Saturday, May 2 will be the 74th year the Kennel Club has held this wonderful event. It takes place in beautiful Tinicum Park on River Road and this year there will be over 160 breeds represented, all strutting their stuff and vying for ribbons. It is a lovely day out, watching beautiful dogs walk the ring, getting to meet many of them up close, and this year, eating some great food.

Last fall, Bill Burland, the new show chair, reached out to me and asked if I would help improve the food offerings at the show. Dogs and great food? How fast do you think I said yes? Bill knows quite a lot about dog shows having run the Philadelphia Kennel Club Show for many years, one of the biggest in the country. He’s got big plans for the Bucks County Kennel Club Show, starting this year with a redesign of the show, including a food court with eight food trucks and vendors, ranging from BBQ to hot waffles, Hummel Brothers’ hot dogs, Greek food, tacos, burgers, spring rolls, fresh salads and much more.

The show begins at 7 am and ends with the “Best in Show” judging around 5 pm. You can come at any time. The only fee is $5 for parking.

If you are a newbie to dog shows, here’s how it works: first, there is judging by breed only—for instance, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, or Portuguese Water Dogs. When that judging ends, the winner of each breed then competes in a Best in Group ring. Groups include, Working Dogs, Toy, Herding, Sport, etc. Then, finally, at the end of the day, the winner from each group competes in the Best in Show. (Learn more about dog shows here.)

Around 8 / 8:30 am, many of the breeds begin with the “Puppy Sweeps.” These are young dogs 6 months and older who are trying the ring for the first time. Then the judging begins by breed which goes on until early afternoon when the group judging begins.

But you want to know about the food, no? There will be breakfast, lunch, sweets and everything in between. Here’s the line-up:

Country Kitchen: This cozy restaurant in Pleasant Valley, PA (Upper Bucks) will be serving breakfast sandwiches, hamburgers, fries, Hummel Brothers’ hot dogs (from Connecticut) and more casual American fare.

Farm Truck: Kris Pepper and Eliot Coven are big on knowing what is in your food and where it comes from. They source all their ingredients locally, building menus around seasonal offerings. Their produce comes from local farms, local bakeries, and their coffee is organic, fairly traded and locally roasted. Expected menu items: Pork Tacos, Pesto Caprese Sandwich, Beer Braised Pork Belly Sandwich and more.

Fresh Truck Bistro: Gourmet-quality, fresh meals in different cuisine styles, also using locally sourced ingredients. Expected menu items: “Be Begging 4 Bacon” Breakfast Wrap, “Spay Cheese” Cheesesteak Spring Rolls, “Groomvie” Chicken Spring Rolls, “2 Paws Up” for Short Rib Taco, “Maryland Crab Dog Collar” Crab Cake Sliders, and assorted freshly baked pastries and Golden Valley shade-grown coffee.

Greek Street Food: Buckingham natives Christina and Robin bring their years of experience in the restaurant business to creating this simple, good affordable Greek food truck offering fresh, homemade Greek food. Expected menu items: Gyros (veggie and meat), Souvlaki, Spinach Pie, Greek Salad, soups, Tzatsiki, hummus, eggplant salad and healthy breakfast items.

Nina’s Waffles: First there was Nina’s Waffles in New Hope, then Doylestown and now, the food truck. If you live in Bucks you’ve probably had their wonderful, freshly made Belgium Liege waffles. Expected menu items: Waffles with a variety of fun toppings, small batch ice cream, Bacon & Cheddar Savory Waffle. Nina’s also won a Philadelphia Magazine Best in Philly award in 2014.

Phoebe’s BBQ: Oklahoma-style barbecue from this well-regarded South Street Philly restaurant, now on wheels. Expected menu items: Pulled pork, ribs, chicken and lots of lovely sides to go with.

Tim’s Barbecue: Hailing from Churchville in Lower Bucks, Tim Smith slow cooks his premium quality brisket and pork, serving it up in sandwiches and platters, using a variety of barbecue styles (North Carolina, Texas). Expected menu items: brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, including breakfast sandwiches (get in line behind me!), burgers and tacos.

…and, of course, funnel cake.

See you on Saturday!

74th Annual Bucks County Kennel Club Show
Tinicum Park, 963 River Road,
Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972
Facebook: Bucks County Kennel Club