ALTOONA, Pa. (WJAC) -- The Blair County Game, Fish and Forestry Association held its annual ox roast festival at its sportsmen’s club in Riggles Gap. The event takes place on Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend each year. It features activities for all ages and the renowned ox roast sandwich.
“We have handgun ranges, rifle ranges, shotgun ranges, long range is up to 300 yards. We have a fly fishing pond for members,” said Tim Merritts, president of the association. “It’s just a nice family club.”
The 82nd annual festival featured live music, games and a flea market.
Merritts said most of the proceeds go back to the club.
“This is our annual fundraiser for our sportsmen’s club. We do a bunch of different shooting events, the kids can come up and shoot, adults can come up and shoot.”
Families could take a tour of the 500-acre grounds on a hayride or try their hand at gem-panning.
“We have different games for the kids, little shooting events for the kids to try. Bingo going on inside the lodge,” Merritts said. “We just put in a playground about four years ago and yesterday there must’ve been 150 kids on the playground. So, the kids seem to enjoy coming up and having fun.”
But Merritts said people keep coming back for the sandwiches.
“What it’s all about is the sandwiches we make,” he said. “They are called ox sandwiches. It’s not a true ox anymore. It used to be. But it is a very good sandwich that everyone seems to enjoy.”
So if it's not ox, what's the secret?
“It’s actually roast beef. Rolled and tied rump roast that’s ground up to look like the old ox,” Merritts said.
Merritts said he loves seeing so many people come out and support the club.
“Myself, I’ve been doing this a little over 40 years and it’s good to see a lot of people that I’ve known for a long time,” he said. “It really helps.”
Merritts said the club sells about 1,500 sandwiches during the festival. He called the event “a great family affair.”
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