The following is a press release issued by the Comptche Volunteer Fire Department:
This Father’s Day, June 18th, will see the resumption of the annual Chicken Dinner fundraiser for the Comptche Volunteer Fire Department. With 1400 pounds of chicken on the grill, macaroni salad, garlic bread, baked beans, Caesar salad and a large selection of pies it’s a great way to spend Father’s Day at Firehouse Park, just south of Comptche corners on Flynn Creek Road.
Just how long these dinners have been being held goes back a breath shy of 60 years. In 1967 a fundraising dinner was held for the three-year-old fire department sponsored by the Comptche Area Fire Auxiliary also known as “The Fire Ladies.” The price for an oven-fired chicken dinner with all the fixings and dessert back then was $2.50 and was served in the Comptche Grange Hall.
By 1972 400 people showed up and ate every bit of food available. A raffle, plant sale, bake sale and a Country Store were later added to the event. Attendance grew every year and the Grange Hall was crammed to capacity even with picnic tables outside and by 1998 600 people were fed in four hours. Finally in 2009 the event was moved to Firehouse Park next to the fire station on Flynn Creek Road and every year it still kept expanding.
For more than 30 years community members of all ages have created a quilt as the grand prize for the Chicken Dinner raffle. These quilts are consistent prize winners at the County Fair and quilt shows with dozens of community members contributing squares. No meal on Father’s Day would be complete in Comptche without buying the one dollar lucky raffle ticket to win the handmade quilt or many other raffle prizes.
The 2023 event is priced at $20 for adults 12 and up, $10 for kids 7 to 12 and under 6 free. Come enjoy the afternoon between noon and 4 p.m at 8491 Flynn Creek Rd. Two bands will provide music throughout the event.
Email comptchevfd@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page: facebook.com/comptche-volunteer-fire-department/ for more information.
