Page 3 - SEPT2022

September 2022 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM Page 3 Community
Sept. 3rd Marks the 23rd Annual Pig Roast in Alexandria
By DoNNa RhoDes
ALEXANDRIA – The An- nual Pig Roast sponsored by the Alexandria Volunteer Firefight- ers Association will take place once again this year on Saturday, Sept. 3, as the second of two annual fundraisers that support the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department for the purchase of equipment and supplies not in- cluded in the town budget.
This year marks the 23rd year of the Labor Day Weekend pig roast, held in honor of former Alexandria Volunteer Fire De- partment Deputy Chief William Corliss who first came up with the idea of hosting the commu- nity event.
While trying to decide on ways in which to raise funds for the department, Corliss was
looking for something other than a chicken barbecue, a popular fundraiser for many organiza- tions in the 1990s. His suggestion of an old-fashioned country pig roast was readily accepted and has become a tradition in the town for more than two decades.
Each year members of the fire department and their support company have rallied together to present what Corliss envisioned- a community event where every- one comes together to enjoy a great meal and support their fire department.
Members of the fire de- partment staff and association volunteers begin prepping for the dinner in the early morn- ing hours, firing up the outdoor oven beside the fire station then loading the grills up with tasty portions of pork to slow-cook all
day. While waiting to turn the meat throughout the day, the volunteers stay busy by husking hundreds of ears of corn that are then transported to the Town Hall kitchen up the road to be cooked. Local farmers contribute both the pigs and all the corn.
In the meantime association members and Alexandria resi- dents are at home that morning preparing salads, side dishes and simmering crocks of baked beans to add to the evening meal.
Once held outside the fire sta- tion, the pig roast dinner grew so large in popularity that they moved it to the historic Town Hall on Washburn Rd. a few years ago. There is a beautiful lawn and gazebo for everyone to eat outside on a nice summer night, while the spacious hall is available in case of inclement
weather or for those who sim- ply prefer to remain indoors. It’s become a great opportunity for residents to see old friends and neighbors while those new to the town have a chance to get to know their new neighbors and make new friends, too.
Besides the Labor Day Week- end Pig Roast the AVFA also hosts an ice fishing derby in the winter, drawing fishermen from all over the state and beyond. Money raised from both events not help sustain the fire depart- ment but also help keep the com- munity safe through programs such as the numeric signs they install for no cost at property and homes throughout Alexandria. The reflective red signs help save time and lives when first respond- ers are called to a fire or any other type of emergency and are
searching for the correct address. In light of financial strug- gles many suffered due to the COVID pandemic, last year the association decided to offer the dinner free of charge, with any donations gratefully appreciated. It turned out to be such a big suc- cess for not only the community but the association too, that they will be doing the same for this
year’s dinner.
Alexandria Town Hall is lo-
cated at 47 Washburn Rd., across from the United Methodist Church on the village common. The pig roast begins at 5 p.m. on Sept. 3 and lasts as long as the food does, the organization said. It is recommended that people plan on coming as early as possi- ble to guarantee food availability.
Supporting the Local Fire Department
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