It's goetta on one side of the river and barbecue on the other next weekend as Greater Cincinnati gets serious about celebrating some of its favorite things to eat.

        Both the Porkopolis BBQ Festival, at Sawyer Point, and Glier's Goettafest, in Covington's MainStrasse Village, are new this year.

        Barbecue is natural for a festival. I would love to have a wide variety of Tristate barbecue joints in one place to play that favorite barbecue game: “Which ribs kick the other ribs' butt?”

IF YOU GO

What: Porkopolis BBQ Fest     When: 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. June 23 and noon-10 p.m. June 24     Where: Sawyer Point, near flying pig sculptures     Cost: Free admission     Information: 579-3191; www.cincinnatichamber.com

IF YOU GO

What: Goettafest     When: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. June 23     Where: MainStrasse in Covington     Cost: Free admission     Information: 357-6246

        The Downtown Council's idea behind the festival was not, however, to start arguments, but to bring people together.

        Raymond “Buz” Buse of the Downtown Council says the Chamber of Commerce (of which Downtown Council is a division) was looking to expand its menu of events, and settled on barbecue “because it plays into the city's history and appeals to a lot of people, across demographic and cultural lines. It's an opportunity to be an inclusive event.”

        This festival builds on our pork-packing heritage, a history of pork-eating in both German and southern African-American culinary traditions — and it could be big.

        It's starting small this year with about 10 vendors, including Burbank's, Smacker's, the Pig King, the Black Forest's huge chicken rotisserie and Cafe Cin-Cin. Music will include Latin from Tropicoso '80s pop from Wang Chung and funk, jazz, and swing. Next Sunday will feature all country, with the Kinleys headlining.

        Maybe even more natural for this area is Goettafest, and it's surprising that this is the first year there's been a goetta festival. It's a good bet no other city will claim it.

        At Goettafest, there will be dishes such as goetta omelets, pizza, sausage and goetta balls for sale. A summer art show occurs at the same time, and there will be music, games and contests.

        While the BBQ Festival takes place over three days, Goettafest is just one. So if you're fanatical about both foods, plan to spend Saturday in Covington.
       

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