HOPE — The recent 11th Annual Smoke On the Square in Hope raised its second-best fundraising total ever of $8,400 among an estimated 1,200 attendees over two days, according to organizers.
Founder Jeff Yarnell made the announcement after just paying all bills connected with the food, music and children’s activities event that benefits the Community Center of Hope. The opening day of the gathering included a record of $5,000 in sales in three hours, according to Yarnell.
The success is especially important because the nonprofit center operates a food bank and also provides much-needed affordable child care, which has been a major issue locally for families for nearly the past 20 years.
Last year, the event was limited to a drive-thru because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the pandemic caused the event to be canceled.
“We are getting back on track with these food sales,” said Yarnell, also the president of the board of the community center.
The gathering featured eight teams competing against one another in categories such as best brisket and related honors.
In many years of the event, 700 to more than 1,000 people have attended for food, live music, children’s activities and more.
Yarnell mentioned that it is sometimes a challenge to get enough teams for a specific date for the cook-off because so many have busy schedules. About a dozen teams called this year to say that they’d ideally like to be there but could not make it.
Yarnell mentioned that special support from First Financial Bank, Toyota Material Handling, Corey Jenkins Construction and Jeff’s Lawn Care Service helped make the fundraiser a success.
“We would not be able to host this fundraising event without the generosity of local businesses,” Yarnell said.
