St. Stephen’s Church’s 351 Main St. location is well known as a prime spot for viewing Ridgefield’s Memorial Day Parade. It is also where the public can enjoy a somewhat newer tradition: the church’s Memorial Day BBQ to fund the annual week-long Youth Mission Trip, H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Endure). This year’s destination is Bryn Athyn, PA, near Philadelphia, where youths and adult leaders from St. Stephen’s will join crews from 35 to 40 churches from around the U.S. to repair and rebuild from 80 to 100 homes.
Before, during and after the parade the BBQ menu will include hamburgers and hot dogs. But the featured item will once again be artisanal, smoked pulled pork prepared by parishioners Mark Blandford , Marshall Odeen and Minister of Music Scott Toperzer. “The ‘secret’ ingredient in our pulled pork is really no secret: it’s the smoke that makes it taste so great,” said Mr. Blandford. “We cook it at a perfect temperature, at a perfect slow pace – for more than 12 hours - allowing the meat to fall apart. And back by popular demand will be our beef brisket, which we introduced to the menu last year.” Mr. Toperzer added: “We are grateful to Marshall, owner of Odeen’s BBQ, for lending us his huge professional smoker, which can hold over 200 pounds of meat. His generosity has helped us make the St. Stephen’s Memorial Day BBQ a Ridgefield tradition.”