Bel Air Downtown Partnership, Boys and Girls Clubs Partnering for Maryland State BBQ Bash Kiss-A-Pig Event

From the Bel Air Downtown Alliance:

The Bel Air Downtown Alliance and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County are pleased to announce an exciting new partnership that combines the Alliance’s MD State BBQ Bash with Boys & Girls Clubs’ Annual Kiss-A-Pig Event.

“It seemed like a natural fit to move our annual Kiss-A-Pig event to the Maryland State Barbecue Bash in Bel Air. The BBQ Bash is a favorite summer event in the Bel Air community and the State of Maryland, hosting barbecue enthusiasts from all over the country, music, and exhibitors. We are thrilled to be a part of the excitement this year,” reports 2012 Kiss-A-Pig Chair and MD State BBQ Bash Competitor, Howard K. McComas IV.

He also made note that this partnership was made possible by Scott T. Walker, Executive Director of the Bel Air Downtown Alliance. Walker stated that he is “excited about the partnership between the Bel Air Downtown Alliance and Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County.” Randy Acosta, Executive Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County, added, “Both nonprofit organizations are dedicated to the growth and enrichment of the communities we serve, and can make a real difference by working together. Our organizations will make excellent partners because of the benefits we
can provide one another.”

This year’s MD State BBQ Bash is scheduled for Friday, August 10th, 4-10pm and Saturday, August 11th, 12-10pm. This year, The Bash is celebrating its 11th year of being one of Maryland’s BIGGEST and BADDEST barbecue competitions. You can expect the same great event featuring live music from amazing local bands and a few Nashville acts on the WXCY 103.7 FM Main Stage, award winning Q from amazing and award winning food vendors, world class barbecue competition from our 55+ professional teams and 30+ amateur teams competing for more than $15,000.00 in cash and prizes, a ton of great
crafters and exhibitors, Harford County’s BEST Beer & Wine Garden featuring Sam Adams and Natty Boh, the Little Piggies Fun Zone, and so much more!

This annual event draws nearly 25,000 people to Downtown Bel Air from across the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast. It is hosted by and benefits the Bel Air Downtown Alliance. The Alliance was launched in 2001 through a partnership between business owners and interested citizens looking to enhance and preserve Downtown Bel Air’s appearance, traditions, community identity, and economic stability. The Alliance is a nonprofit volunteer organization, and through its ambitious and wide-reaching efforts, the Alliance is creating a vibrant business community and visitor friendly
destination in Downtown Bel Air.

Kiss-A-Pig is a great opportunity for community members to become engaged with the Clubs and each other by taking on their own fundraising campaigns to win the honor of kissing a pig. Since the first Kiss-A-Pig Event in 1996, the roster of candidates has included an impressive set of individuals, such as Harford County Executives, Sheriffs, and Council Members. Candidates will run individual fundraising campaigns; each dollar raised equals one vote in support of a candidate. All of the money raised during this 2-3 month long event will support youth programming at the Clubs, with a focus in five core areas: Character & Leadership Development; Education & Career Development; The Arts; Health & Life Skills; and Sports, Fitness, and Recreation. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County was established in 1989 by a group of concerned citizens in the Aberdeen area.

In its 23-year history, the organization has grown to 4 sites throughout Harford County and now serves more than 450 children and teens on a daily basis. Our mission is to inspire and enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The Club is open to all youth ages 6 to 18 and provides positive youth development.

June 12, 2012 was the kickoff to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County’s 17th Annual Kiss-A-Pig Event. This annual event pits volunteers from Harford County, the Kiss-A-Pig Candidates, against one another in a fundraising battle for the privilege of kissing a pig, bragging rights, a trophy, and the honor of being the 2012 MVP – Most Valuable Puckerer. In the coming weeks the 15 candidates will be hosting events, people will be voting for their favorite pig-kissers, and a pig will be getting ready for its big day. The pig-kissing will take place at the MD State BBQ Bash in Downtown Bel Air on August 10, 2012. Event chair, Howard McComas is “looking forward to Boys & Girls Clubs having a stronger presence and being more active in the Bel Air community.”

*2012 Kiss-A-Pig Chair:* Howard K. McComas IV

*2012 Kiss-A-Pig Candidates: *

Sheriff Jesse Bane – Harford County Sheriff
Rod Bourn – Harford County Community College
Lisa Fuller – Fuller & Associates Insurance
Barry Glassman – MD State Senator District 35
Rocky Gonzalez – Harford County Government
Ed Hopkins – Mayor, Town of Bel Air
Bryan Kelly – The Kelly Group
Frank Kellner – Harford Mutual
Paul Magness – Republican Club of Harford County
Leo Matrangola – Chief of Police
Brenda Morrison – Harford County Community College
Wayne Norman – MD State Delegate District 35A
Teri Reis – Sabre Systems
Angelo Romano – APGFCU
Joanne Shumaker – SRC, Inc.
Scott Walker – Bel Air Downtown Alliance

As host of the MD State BBQ Bash and Kiss-A-Pig Candidate, Mr. Walker is promising an “exciting” and “fun-filled” event. In addition, he stated, “I’m really hoping to knock this one out of the park. I think there’s added pressure for me to step up a bit, since we are hosting the event, and that’s OK. My goal is to raise $10,000.00. Either way, it’s going to be a lot of fun and we’re very excited to have the Boys & Girls Clubs involved at this year’s Bash.”

He went on to explain that the Alliance and The Bash have been partnering with The RAACE Foundation for the past two years and will continue that partnership at this year’s Bash. “RAACE is another local nonprofit organization and they are dedicated to eliminating the epidemic of child sexual abuse by raising public awareness,” he explained.

He went on to explain that The Bash is an excellent venue to provide RAACE with the exposure they need and by adding the partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs, the Alliance continues to fulfill its mission of raising local awareness to local issues. “’Be Local and Be A Part Of It’ is our belief system. Supporting local doesn’t stop with shopping and dining. It’s a way of life that starts and ends in your community. The Alliance partners with local nonprofits throughout the year and this year we have the added excitement of combining two GREAT events into one AMAZING night,” he concluded.

For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County: http://www.bgcharfordco.org.

Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BGCHC.

Kiss-A-Pig Event on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/LEUz3k.

For more information about the Bel Air Downtown Alliance or MD State BBQ Bash: http://www.DowntownBelAir.com or http://www.MDBBQ.com.

Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DowntownBelAir or http://www.facebook.com/MDBBQBash.

Please vote for your favorite candidate by making a donation online at http://www.bgcharfordco.org or through either Facebook page. You can also mail your donation to: Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County P.O. Box 1106, Aberdeen, MD 21001. Please identify which Pig Kisser you are “voting” for.