HOPE — The 10th Annual Smoke On the Square fundraiser will be a drive-thru event with a limited number of meals from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on the Hope Town Square.
The fact that it is returning in some format is significant since last year’s event was postponed and then canceled, leaving beneficiary Community Center of Hope without the $7,000 or more in support the event normally raises.
The gathering features teams vying for prestige, cash and other prizes in a barbecue competition featuring pork, ribs, brisket and chicken. About 15 to 20 teams normally participate each year. In the past, the event also has included live music, food, and activities such as a cornhole tournament.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which has limited crowds at many events forced this year’s changes, according to founder Jeff Yarnell. Yarnell serves as president of the board of the Community Center of Hope. The center serves Flat Rock and Haw Creek townships providing child care, a food bank and other programs. Proceeds are generated via team entree fees and food sales.
In good weather, the family friendly event regularly has attracted more than 1,000 people.
Yarnell recently encouraged people to reserve meals online at smokeonthesquare.rsvpify.com to guarantee food before tickets sell out.
The food lineup is as follows: $10 brisket meal, $9 pulled pork meal, $8 grilled chicken meal, all including a sandwich, potato salad, chips and drink. A $5 hot dog meal will be served with chips and drink only. Individual items are: $8 brisket sandwich, $7 pulled pork sandwich, $6 grilled chicken sandwich, $2 hot dog, $2 potato salad, $1 chips, $1 drink and $5 funnel cake, served from Rho Chapter of the Kappa Kappa Sigma Sorority.
Information: Facebook page for 10th Smoke On the Square.
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Go to smokeonthesquare.rsvpify.com
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