OWASCO - Owasco is a small community, but one that is united in many ways and one that comes out to show its support when possible.

It is this quality that has helped to make the St. Ann's Church Barbecue fundraiser a success every year.

Volunteers were on hand as early as six in the morning, Sunday, to fire up the coals and get the chicken on the grill.

By noon, cars were parked on Route 38A and people were lining up to get their food and participate in the afternoon's fundraising festivities.

“It is a tradition,” said Bobbie Bellnier, a volunteer who helps organize the event. “People really look forward to this and they know that it is going to be here every year and people here are very supportive and I think that is what makes it such a success.”

Bellnier explained that the fundraiser has been going on literally for decades.

“This all started at Camp Columbus,” Bellnier said. “It started as a chicken and biscuit dinner and then gradually it grew into the barbecue. It has been going on for decades.”

As the event grew, so too did St. Ann's approach to hosting it.

Bellnier said that over the years, a barbecue pit was installed and then a roof over the pit in case of poor weather.

These days, the fundraiser is a big endeavor that brings many in the Owasco community together to make it possible.

“It is all volunteer,” Bellnier said. “The guys got here about six in the morning to get the fire started. We did the beans on Saturday and everybody made brownies for dessert and cakes and things to be raffled off. It gets a lot of people pitching in to help.”

Bellnier believes this rallying effect is because of the nature of the event.

“It is really our only fundraiser,” Bellnier said. “We are affiliated with Sacred Heart, but we each have our own operating budget and I think people really like to do something to help support their parish.”

In addition to the great food, visitors were also treated to raffles, a book sale and music by the Soda Ash Six.

“They (the Soda Ash Six) play here every year,” Bellnier said. “This has really just evolved over the years with the raffles and the book sale. It has continued to grow over the years.”

From the sounds of Dixieland jazz to the sweet aroma of chicken cooking, the fundraiser certainly drew a good crowd.

Bellnier said that 1,000 chicken halves would be cooked and sold throughout the day, as well as hot dogs and hamburgers.

People like Molly Carroll were more than happy to show their support.

“We come here every summer,” Carroll said. “We've been coming here every summer for 35 years. We have a camp in the area that we spend time at in the summer. Whenever we are here we do what we can to support St. Ann's. The food, the music, I think it is a wonderful experience and a great cause to help support.”