By GREGG MONTGOMERY
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
The home of a central Indiana pork festival for more than 50 years had a celebration Friday for the return of the McRib sandwich.
McDonald’s announced earlier in the week that its seasoned, boneless pork patty with BBQ sauce, slivered onions and dill pickles on a bun would return “for a limited time” starting Saturday in Indiana and southwest Michigan.
The Indiana Pork Producers Association hosted Friday’s fun at the city’s McDonald’s restaurant. Democrat Mayor Tom Dolezal joined a City Council member, a hog farmer, and the local restaurant’s owner/operator for a ceremonial “first bite.”
A news release from McDonald’s said that the restaurant chain purchases nearly $30 million worth of products from Indiana farmers, including 13 million pounds of pork.
The 520-calorie sandwich and plus McRib merchandise last appeared on menus a year ago as a “farewell tour,” with promoters noting it would not be sold again nationally for a while after November 2022.
The 2023 Tipton County Pork Festival happened Sept. 7 to 9.