Our Lady of Light Catholic Parish in Descanso is holding its 87th Annual Deep Pit BBQ on Sept. 1, with its traditional deep pit BBQ, famous peach cobbler, live music by the Horseshoe Lucky, auction, and special handcrafts from local vendors.
This is the small parish’s only major fundraiser of the year, depending on volunteers and donors, with all proceeds going to the parish’s youth programs, religious education, summer camps, student scholarships, and parish operating costs.
BBQ Committee Volunteer Yvonne Harris said throughout the New World, the indigenous peoples of the Americas cooked in the earth. The original use of buried cooking in ground pits was done by the Native Americans for thousands of years. Traditional Californian pit barbecuing has been replaced by modern conveniences. However, this tradition continues today in Descanso, with Our Lady of Light, that started its tradition in 1937.
Harris said the parish’s longstanding tradition is well known in San Diego and Imperial counties since 1937.
“We are following the same traditions and procedures from that time period,” she said. “It is a good, wholesome family day. We start at 11 a.m. and it usually ends around 6 p.m. Nothing is purchased. It is all done inhouse. The ladies get together, the men prepare the meat. It is a lot of work, but it is fun.”
The preparation begins on Saturday night with the cooking of the meat. Two cords of oak firewood are doused with diesel fuel and set on fire at about 2 pm. The coals are finally ready eight hours later. The meat is cut into 25-pound bundles and seasoned, before being wrapped in two layers of muslin and burlap and tied with wire. The bundles of seasoned beef are then placed directly onto the coals by masked firewalkers who shovel more coals on top before they are covered with dirt by a team of shoveling volunteers. The bundles are then left to cook for 13 hours before they are pulled up and served on Sunday. The public is welcome to attend Saturday’s bonfire.
Harris said along with all the events, it also has $1 raffle tickets to raise money, with two grand prizes for $500 each, a $250 second prize, and $150 third prize.
“Our music is on stage, along with country line dancing and kids’ games,” she said. “There is also a beer garden, along with some other great things to enjoy.”
Harris said because this event is its only fundraiser of the year, they ask for the community to come together and sponsor the event, becoming “Angel Sponsors.”
“We depend on receiving cash donations to cover the costs for this because it is a free event. The food is also a part of the donations. It is a lot of food, which helps raise money to cover the costs for the event,” she said. “Sponsors help cover things like scholarships, youth education, summer camps, Bible camps. We do not charge the families for children to come to these, so these all get covered by our sponsors.”
Harris said it also gives attendees the opportunity to visit “Grandpa’s Attic.”
“This is another opportunity for people to bring their lightly used items, and a small store will be set up where people can purchase,” she said. “We have people that might be changing out their dining room. There are also things like china, lamps, furniture, clothing. It is always a surprise who is going to bring what. And this is just another way for us to raise money for the parish.”
Harris said this event brings the community together.
“It is a great way to have fun, and get to know our community,” she said. “Descanso is a very small community. It is a great place to have a day retreat, and we do offer day retreats which are also covered by this event.”
Harris said people interested in sponsoring, volunteering, or donating to the event, can contact the parish at ourladyoflight. church or email Harris directly at olol.descanso@gm.. Our Lady of Light Catholic Parish is located at 9136 Riverside Drive in Descanso.