Saturday, October 10th, brought warm breezes and plenty of sunshine for this year’s LAFD Fire Hogs annual Hogs Breath BBQ and Biker Games. The event was held at the beautiful and spacious Police Officers Park in Long Beach. The BBQ capped a year of riding, comradery, and raising funds to benefit the Relief Association’s Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. Arriving early as usual (5:00 am!), with his “smokin crew,” friend of the Fire Hogs Darrell Smith started to prepare the day’s menu of succulent pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken, and spicy sausage. All of this, of course, was going to be washed down by Fireman’s Brew Red and Blond Ale generously donated by Chris of Fireman’s Brewery.
While Pete Goff and Taylor Gaskins were busy setting up for the day’s BBQ and Biker Games in Long Beach, the rest of the Fire Hogs joined families, friends and fellow firefighters at the LAFD Fire Museum (Old 27’s) for the LAFD’s Annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial service. The Hogs were there to pay tribute to the 264 members who have given their lives serving the citizens of Los Angeles over the years.
Following the Memorial and ride to Long Beach, the annual Hogs Breath BBQ got off to a roaring start. More than 50 motorcycles pulled into the parking lot to begin an afternoon of dancing, good food, tall tales and most importantly the Hogs Breath Biker Games! Besides the BBQ, the afternoon kicked off with great tunes provided by the LAFD’s own Ryan Viducic (FS 63) and his band “Purple Sugar.” This is the band’s second year playing at the BBQ and they are very popular due to their mix of Rock and Soul which rocked the crowd all afternoon!
Intermixed throughout the afternoon were the Fire Hogs Biker Games. The individual events were the Slow Drag Race, Keg Push, Potato Harvest and the Hot Dog Bite. The games were presided over by our own Sgt of Arms Pete Goff, and provided the crowd with hours of laughter and fun!
Many past and returning champions lost to the younger and much more nimble riders including our new LA County Chapter Fire Hog Steve “Doc” Dochterman for the Keg Push. Other champions were Angel “Mongo” Meza in the Slow Drag, and John “Johnny O” and Michelle O’Connor for the Potato Harvest and Hot Dog Bite. Congratulations to all the winners!
Special thanks to Pete Goff and his crew for ensuring the Biker Games were carried off with hardly a mishap! Not an easy task when you consider most Harley’s weigh over 750 pounds! Also to Darrell Smith and his BBQ crew for providing what has to be one of the BEST bbq’s around! Most importantly, thanks to all that attended and helped out to make this event a success!!
The Fire Hogs have many more rides coming up in the future and all of our rides are open! You do not have to be a Fire Hog to participate! Come join us on the road and see what we are all about – brotherhood, comradery, giving back and most of all, FUN. Events are posted on our Website www.firehogs.org. Mark your calendar for next year’s Fallen Heroes Memorial Ride on June 25, 2016. Apply for an account to be e-mailed notifications of upcoming rides. If you wish to join or just have questions, you can contact any board member from our website. As a national organization, we are also accepting applications for new Fire Hog chapters from other fire agencies. Contact any board member from our website for more information.
Join us on Facebook @ Fire Hogs M/C. Like our Facebook page @ L.A.F.D. Fire Hogs.
By Taylor Gaskins
Photos by Jack Wise