According to Bryant Glick, who is organizing the first Pickin' in the Park with Linda Dibartolo and Bill Heagy, the event was in the planning stages before the COVID-19 shutdown in March 2020. "This has been in the works for 16 months," said Glick. "Terre Hill borough is graciously allowing us to hold this," he added.

The first Pickin' in the Park event, which will include the Keystone Steak Cook-Off, an antique and artisan swap meet, food vendors, and live music, will be held in the Terre Hill Community Park, 210 Lancaster Ave., Terre Hill, on Saturday, May 1, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Proceeds of the event will be donated to the Weaverland Valley Fire Department. Admission is free, and the event will be held rain or shine.

"We wanted to do a steak competition (with) an antiques side for Bill and Linda, (who own Tannery Antiques)," explained Glick, who worked with a steak competition organizer to promote the Keystone Steak Cook-Off, which will include more than 40 professional grilling teams vying for a $1,000 first-place prize. A chicken wing contest will be held as well. A nominal fee is required to enter, and a cash prize will be awarded to the winner.

The antique and artisan swap meet, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., will include more than 35 vendors. Glick noted that an antiques event called Oddities Bazaar Market will be held in Adamstown in conjunction with Pickin' in the Park. The Oddities Market will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Renninger's Antiques Market, 2500 N. Reading Road, Adamstown.

"We will have a variety of food," said Glick of the more than 10 food trucks and vendors lined up to offer food for purchase at Terre Hill Community Park. Among those will be Hen House Grilling, Lickity Split, Auntie Anne's, and Holy Smoked Meats. In addition, the Garden Spot High School Grassland FFA will sell milkshakes, and LANCO Performing Arts will sell food items from the concession stand in the main park pavilion. Musical entertianment by Dane Fox will begin at after noon.

Glick emphasized that the event was designed to appeal to people of all ages. "It is family-friendly," said Glick, noting that the Terre Hill Timbers playground is located in the park. "It's not just an antique event and craft show and steak competition. We wanted to do an event that encompassed family."

Questions about the steak cook-off may be directed to PickinintheParkPA@gmail.com. Individuals wishing to enter the wing competition may do so at that email as well. Readers with questions about the antiques swap meet may call 732-239-1363 or email lindadib@live.com.