Museum raises funds with new barbecue event

By Jessica Soule / The Citizen

Monday, August 20, 2007 11:06 AM EDT

OWASCO - The smell of familiar chicken barbecue greeted people as they made their way to Emerson Park pavilion for an unusual fundraiser for Cayuga Museum.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in Syracuse catered a casual benefit for the Genesee Street museum Sunday afternoon.

“People have chicken barbecues all the time, so we wanted this one to be special,” museum executive director Eileen McHugh said of getting the popular restaurant to cater the Bar-B-Cayuga. “People drive to Syracuse to go there.”

In what McHugh hopes will become an annual fundraiser, the Cayuga Museum hosted an event that included a popular Syracuse band, Los Blancos, food from Dinosaur and the scenery of Owasco Lake. Sunday marked the first time museum officials organized a barbecue.

Boaters drove over to listen to the four-man band from the water, and perhaps to breathe in the smoky flavor from the large, black grill.

Organizers sold more than 200 tickets in advance, and McHugh aims to sell more each year.

Museum Board of Directors president Peter Maciulewicz called the weekend event a “good, strong start.” They both hope to see the barbecue grow annually.

People enjoyed the live band, which performed rock, blues and cover songs from the park's band shelter, while sitting at picnic tables or lawn chairs near the shoreline.

The proceeds will go to the nonprofit organization's general operating fund, McHugh said. Also, the Fleming Fire Department had a chance to make some money for its operating costs. Deputy Chief Scott Kehoe and a few members of his crew sold drinks at the event. The proceeds from the beverages went to the Fleming station.

The Cayuga Museum board aims to add this event as the third benefit for the museum each year. They host a dinner in May, and have cocktails in November. McHugh always is searching for sources of funding.

Also, the event helps get the museum's name out there and keep it in people's minds, Maciulewicz said.

A green REO Speedwagon, similar in design to the cars used in Fox Case Corporation's films, sat near the picnic tables. Museum officials will take the road certified vehicle to all the events.

“It's a way to raise recognition, (reminding people) it still exists,” Maciulewicz said. “You always need to get the name out there.”

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or

jessica.soule@lee.net

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