By Liz Alterman
Though summer’s officially over, there’s still time to enjoy one last barbecue.
The Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department will be grilling for a good cause when it hosts its 10th annual pig roast on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 4 to 10 p.m.
Proceeds for the event, which will take place at the township’s fire headquarters at 495 River Rd., will benefit the Firefighters Benevolent Association. The FFBA pays for a variety of things, President James Sara explained.
“If we hold a training class with another fire house, we buy lunch for them out of that fund,” he said. “We give a scholarship each year, the Volunteerism Award, to a student at Chatham High School. We also put together a troop care package that was sent over to Afghanistan. The fund really covers a lot of different things and benefits not just the fire department but others as well.”
The event has grown every year, Sara said, though a lot depends on the weather.
“We print 300 tickets and they usually sell out,” he said. “We expect another 100 to 200 people at the door and we’re ready to accommodate them.”
In addition to four whole pigs on spits, the fire department will be serving hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers and French fries. Beer, birch beer and soda will also be available.
Those who purchase a full-priced ticket for $30 will receive a collector’s mug. Tickets for children ages 13 to 18 are priced at $10, while admission for children 12 and under is free.
The band Ten Foot Tall, who played at the event previously, will be on hand to entertain the crowd. Tables and chairs will be rented from Pioneer Rentals so attendees don’t need to bring chairs or blankets with them.
“We have accommodations for the kids, too, so the adults can relax,” said Sara. “We’re going to have a moonwalk bouncy house. We’ll also have a truck set up with the water flowing so the kids can squirt the fire hose. It’s a good day of food, family and fun.”