Mayor Callahan Gets Wet at Rib Cook Off

Hundreds of racks of ribs were consumed and more than 3,000 people stopped by as the first-ever Bethlehem Rib Cook Off was held on W. Broad Street between Main and Guetter streets last Saturday.

There was live music and a competition among six local restaurants for which one makes the best ribs in Bethlehem.

But the highlight of the day may have been Mayor John Callahan’s dip in the dunk tank. It’s not clear who did the deed, but he or she got the mayor wet with the first try.

The dunk tank was a fundraiser that brought in more than $300 for the Explorer Post.

The mayor also got to be one of nine local “celebrity” judges to conduct a blind taste test of all six ribs makers in the contest. The of the Bethlehem Patch was also on the panel.

Local caterers 4 Bandits BBQ won the judges prize, while won the “People’s Choice” competition. The other contenders were , , and .

The Downtown Bethlehem Association, which organized the cook off, sold all 200 “passports” for the event weeks in advance.