It must be September in Elmira, as the local Lions Club has been busy making the final preparations for their annual beef and pork barbecue and dance. This year’s event is the 21st in its long history, and will be held Sept. 24 at Lions Hall. For just $20, diners can enjoy all-you-can-eat wood-fired pork or beef, coleslaw, scalloped potatoes and an assortment of pies.
“It’s kind of like a reunion party for a lot of people,” said Lions member John Jongerius of the event’s longstanding tradition. “Sometimes you only see certain people once a year and a lot of the locals have just made it a part of their year.”
The barbecue, the Lions’ main fall fundraiser, is truly a local endeavour, as all the money raised goes back into their projects throughout the community, ranging from the upkeep of Lions Park and Lions Hall to the maintenance and grooming of local trails, Memorial Forest, and the continuation of local youth sports and activities.
Even the food is all locally prepared, and the meat is provided by Joe Martin from the Elmira Meat Market.
“He’s been a huge supporter for us,” said Jongerius. “He gives us a great deal on the meat and supplies a great selection of knives.”
Jongerius expects somewhere between 400 and 500 people at this years event, but said the group doesn’t worry about having too much food, because any leftovers are delivered to the House of Friendship in Kitchener, which every year serves more than 42,000 people in Waterloo Region and provides residential, family and community services.
If the great food and good company isn’t enough to send you home satisfied, there is also a wide variety of raffle prizes to be won.
The Elmira Lions 21st annual beef and pork barbecue starts at 5 p.m. with cocktails. Dinner is served at 7 at Lions Hall, 40 South St. W. in Elmira. Music will be provided by DJ Rod Martin.
For tickets contact any Elmira Lions member, email lionsbeefandpork@gmail.com or call 669-5484.
