TUSCARAWAS COUNTY (WJER) - Both sides of the Dover-Phila football rivalry are spending game day joining some traditions to get set for tonight’s match-up. Dover had to push back the community bonfire at Crater Stadium to this morning because of the high winds last night. 

High school math department head Ryan Miller says seniors spent Thursday meticulously stacking about 2,000 wooden pallets for the bonfire. 

“This is one of the kind of the last big things of the fall football season. We have all the seniors then for like the cheerleaders and football team that will actually come out and light it, and we have just all the seniors that are given an opportunity come out and build it as kind of one of the last main experiences they get to have for this fall season,” he says.

And in New Philadelphia, Tuscora Park Foundation Board member Mike Ernest says they’re bringing fans together at the Tuscora Park pavilion for pulled pork meals at lunchtime. 

“Matt Tharp, a New Philadelphia fireman, has a great side business of having these pulled pork lunches and dinners and we, as members, will be out there serving it,” he says. 

Ernest says tickets are $10 at the door, and proceeds help the group with its mission of funding projects for the city parks. 

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