Live music played by a Willie Nelson tribute band filled the air, men roasted meat in a giant pit, children learned how to rope a goat and a Theodore Roosevelt impersonator greeted everyone he passed by. Yes, this is what could be seen at the San Dieguito Heritage Museum’s 27th annual deep pit barbecue on Saturday, May 23.

The festivities began at noon with Left Coast Willie & Friends playing toe-tapping covers of Nelson’s classic songs. Guests were free to enjoy not only the exhibits of the museum but also a petting zoo, vintage vehicles including a 1957 Del Mar Fire Department fire engine, a dress up booth, and children’s games run by a few members of SDA’s Interact Club.

Cindy Lou’s petting zoo offered a wide variety of pettable animals ranging from extremely fluffy rabbits to a small but feisty black piglet. Seniors Tyler Knight and Elliott Keyes, both members of the SDA Interact Club, had a unique experience at the petting zoo. “[Elliot and I] were over [at the petting zoo] and some guy was like, ‘Your name’s Tyler? That’s my son’s name’. And then he put his hat on my head and said, ‘You’re part of the chicken hat club’, and he took a chicken and put the chicken on my head. Then I asked him what the chicken’s name was and he said it was Elliot,” said Knight.

When they weren’t spending their time chasing down animals to hold or getting poultry placed on their heads, the volunteers spent their time working the children’s games. There was face painting, bean bag toss, panning for gold, frying pan shootout, and yes, roping a fake goat.

Some children got competitive with siblings while panning for gold and others cheered each other on while doing the bean bag toss but nevertheless they all felt like winners when they picked out their prizes afterward. But the games did not only attract children. A group of young men came and spent a good 15 minutes roping the goat just for fun, and teaching others along the way.

There was a visit from the mayor of Encinitas, Kristin Gaspar, as well as San Diego County Supervisor, Dave Roberts, to award the Living Heritage Award to Dave Oakley for his support of the foundation as well as his help with preserving the San Dieguito area. The guests were also lucky to meet Joe Wiegand, who impersonated former President Theodore Roosevelt. His booming voice and friendly chuckle added to his cheery personality as he went around to all the tables and greeted everyone. He was happy to inform all those who enquired about his background or to just carry on a nice conversation. He talked to members of the foundation about the restoration of the Teten house and when they told them about all of their accomplishments, he shouted, “Bully!”, as the president would and chuckled at himself.

The event brought smiles to the faces of all that attended and is sure to be a great tradition for many years to come.