Port Washington celebrates Alper’s 11th annual Karmacue

Jessica Parks
HG que took home first place for ribs and overall barbecue at Alper's 11th Annual Karmacue. (Photo courtesy of Community Chest of Port Washington)

Many might know it as the Sunday before Memorial Day weekend, but in Port Washington that day is known for Karmacue, a day reserved for eating barbecue for a good cause.

Adam Novick, a fourth-generation member of the family behind Alper’s True Value Hardware, started Port Washington’s annual barbecue competition and street festival 11 years ago and selected Community Chest of Port Washington to receive the funds raised.

Community Chest of Port Washington, one of Port Washington’s oldest nonprofits, raises and distributes funds to 26 organizations that improve the life of Port residents.

This year’s Karmacue, with 10 barbecue teams smoking over 230 racks of ribs for the crowd, four food vendors, musical performances, volunteers and over 1,000 attendees, raised $7,500 for the Community Chest.

Judges determine which barbecue team served up the best ribs, chicken and overall barbecue while attendees vote on their favorite ribs to determine the People’s Choice Champion.  

HG que, a barbecue team headed by Hugh Goldson, took home first place for ribs and overall barbecue while Pork Washington, Paul Benjamin’s barbecue team, was crowned the People’s Choice Champion with 300 votes.

First-place for chicken went to BBQ’s Brothers, led by Dan Bettan.

Every year for Karmacue, barbecue teams set up their smokers and grills on Irma Avenue at 5 a.m. to begin cooking. This year, over 1,300 plates of ribs were served.

Yummy Gyro, Ralph’s Ices, Bareburger and The Grill Shack also cooked their specialties at Karmacue and made donations to the Community Chest.

Local performers on the day’s music lineup were Chuck Idol, Back 2 Rock and Hat Trixx.

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