JCPP Pork-er Ride proves to be successful, safe

     That the second annual Jones County Pork Producers Pork-er Ride nearly tripled the number of ATVs as the first one, and sold more than double the number of tickets, may have come as a surprise to some.

     Not to the JCCP itself.

     “As much as this pandemic has been challenging and downright hard, people were excited to be able to get out and blow off some steam,” JCPP Secretary Abby Jaeger said.

     “People in Jones County need a reason to celebrate something, safely. Event after event has been cancelled, and this provided an opportunity for everyone to get out and stretch their legs, see a familiar face, and enjoy some company before the complete heaviness of the harvest busy season set in.”

     So, the Sept. 19 event drew 97 ATVs/UTVs, way up from the 37 that took part last year. While there were 105 tickets sold a year ago, this time the JCPP sold 254.

     There were a number of changes to this year’s event, some related to the ride itself, some due to COVID-19.

     First of all, by beginning and ending at the Scotch Grove Coonhunters, a camping option was added. The route was extended, and a fourth establishment was added.

     Jaeger said that was done “to make the experience last a little longer, and to make it more of a day than a few hours.”

     The JCPP provided its own pork, which was smoked the morning of the ride to make it as fresh as possible.

     Regarding the pandemic, each of the four venues along the route – Coonhunters, Two Gingers in Cascade, Hillside Sports Bar & Grill in Monticello and The Grove in Scotch Grove – provided an outdoor option.

     “We wanted to make sure everyone felt safe, so we worked with their management to confirm there would be an option to be outside, to remain as socially distant as possible,” Jaeger said. “We also encouraged hand sanitizing, and we had a crew cleaning and sanitizing at all the common touch points of the stops.

     “We made it through the event with little worry, and everyone had a great time.”

     The JCPP wasted little time after last year’s Pork-er Ride to plan for this year’s.

     “At the end of our first ride we immediately sat down and started a plan for the next,” Jaeger said. “Our group was very purposeful about getting feedback from fellow riders.”

     Jaeger said this year’s feedback was positive as well.

     “People were extremely excited to see our group be successful, and were excited to learn about what we do with the funds that we raise,” Jaeger said. “That encouraged people to donate more and participate in all the raffles and drawings.”

     Those funds go to scholarships, show premiums for the Great Jones County Fair, donations to local 4-H clubs and FFA chapters, and more.

     Plans are already in the works for a 2021 ride.

     “We will continue to try to patronize different local establishments,” she said, “and dedicate our time to bringing business into Jones County along with educating, promoting, and celebrating our livelihood – pork!”