Terry Groves is co-producer of Pickathon and executive producer of the Huichica Festival.
What was the food highlight of your year?
Man, I really begin to sound so basic once thinking of how to describe memorable food moments for me. Typically, and where we are from (Northern Michigan)… the most exciting food event is the weekly Friday Night Fish Fry, wherein I usually just get the broasted chicken. Beyond that I am always blown away by our annual visit to Portland where I generally live off of Pine State Biscuits for breakfast, pork tacos for lunch, and typically pizza, thai, or sushi for dinner. Call me a creature of habit if you’d like. This routine traditionally ramps up the week of Pickathon when i get to branch out a little. I prefer food i can carry and eat without a dish, so once again, Pine State Biscuits (I’m a Reggie guy), Al Forno Ferruzza (Pizza), and this year our own food booth had amazing Corn Dogs and the famous life-sustaining Pickathon Power Cookies (thanks Jan & Gerard!).
So what’s my highlight? Well, it came as a surprise from the kind folks at Boke Bowl: fried chicken and ramen - goddamn was that amazing. As the story goes, It was the first day of Pickathon and I was at the front gate, getting pounded by guest list requests. Usually this is the most brutal 24 hours of my year as everyone (I really mean everyone) typically wants more guests than you’re willing to give them. Food vendors are somehow always the worst. After about the 30th employee from Boke Bowl that came to the gate without passes, they finally brought me one of their amazing ramen bowls and a side of pickles. It changed my day (and attitude) and I’ll likely remember that moment for a long time.
What was the music highlight of your year?
Shit, am I self-absorbed if I say that it happened at Pickathon? So many great shows that weekend, it’s hard to come out with just one. So here are three: Feist singing from atop a piano at The Woods Stage (like a kitty), Parquet Courts out of their minds in The Galaxy Barn, and finally the ever-amazing Saturday Morning Cartoons kids show with the Cardboard Songsters. Their collaboration with Michael Hurley for “Oh My Stars” and the “Slurf Song” were both hilarious and heart-warming.
Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?
Yes. Day three of Pickathon: Watching Fred Armisen watch Parquet Courts while thoroughly enjoying one of our gluten-free corn dogs.