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Pork Sandwiches, A Fair Tradition

Pork Sandwiches, A Fair Tradition

For the past Fifty plus years, The Turner County Pork Producers have sold their signature pork sandwiches at the Turner County fair. A fair that has been in existence since 1881. Through the years the TCPP {Turner County Pork Producers} have adapted to one of the most ever-changing industries in the state. When they first started, they served around 200 pounds of pork loins and Boston butts with all the sides one evening of the fair to promote pork. 

In 1986 the TCPP was asked by the fair board if they were interested in purchasing one of the stands that was owned by a local church. The church was getting smaller and older and was finding it hard to find help to staff the stand. The TCPP bought the stand and that was the beginning of what has become an important part of the fair. 

In 2003 a tornado came through Parker S.D. where the fair is held each year. It damaged the fairgrounds including the stand owned by TCPP. By mid-August, a new building was put up just in time for the fair one that could house Four organizations and their food so the fair could go on.  

As a child growing up through the Seventies, I remember the Turner County fair well. My father would take the family and treat everyone to a pork sandwich meal. Those memories laid dormant in my mind for over Forty years.  

I stood in line and got my pork sandwich it was now 2022. I am pushing Sixty instead of Fifteen. I watched in earnest the process of making the sandwich in front of me. I sat down on a bench and took a deep breath and then a bite. My senses were awoken by a strange sense of familiarity. The dog days of summer of my youth and going to the Parker fair came alive once again. I savored every bite and treasured the memories it bought back. 

The more things change the more they stay the same. The pork sandwiches still taste the same. However, they make a lot more of them. 2,200 pounds of pork lions are now cooked. There are 35 pails of potato salad and 40 pails of fruit and 7,000 buns for making the sandwiches with lots of milk, water, and soda. 

The TCPP continues to help support the 4-H and the Turner County Fair. One year the TCPP challenged the fair board. TCPP agreed to buy 10 picnic tables if the fair board bought 10 as well. It worked. Today you might see over 100 picnic tables on the fairgrounds. 

I sat for hours and watched scores of people come through the line to get their pork loin sandwiches. After all, it’s a tradition and traditions do not die easy especially when it comes to small towns and county fairs.