To the editor:

If you grew up locally, you remember the Bowdoinham Barbecue. It’s happening again this weekend for the first time in decades, and we hope many of your readers will join us.

In the late 1970s, when my father stepped down from running the barbecue, he had no idea he’d be doing it again this Saturday as the town celebrates its 250th anniversary.

In 1977, one of the last years, volunteers served 1,500 chicken dinners over two days, and raised $4,000 for the school. The fiddle contest drew contestants from all over the Northeast and beyond, firemen got soaked in the dunk tank, and I finally caught the greased pig.

The town’s very first barbecue happened in 1954, when Dad was just 14. For $1.50, he was served a barbecued chicken half, a salad, potato chips, a brownie and a small bottle of milk from Millay’s Dairy.

That year started a tradition of volunteer spirit, which literally built the Bowdoinham Community School, paid for a new fire truck, bought the town’s recreation fields, and a whole lot more.

This Saturday — along with scores of other leaders and volunteers, from the local EMS team to the 250th Anniversary Committee — Dad’s at it again. Again, the purpose is to raise money for our school and good spirits for our community.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the school, you’ll be served a half chicken, a drink, chips and a salad for $10, or $6 for kids. It’s first-come, first-served, so arrive a bit early to buy your tickets — or buy beforehand at the Bowdoinham Town Office.

The Bowdoinham Historical Society will sell fresh strawberry shortcake, you’ll see displays on the history of the Bowdoinham Barbecue and chicken farming in Bowdoinham, and there’ll be outstanding local musical talent to entertain us.

For my two sons, it will be their first-ever Bowdoinham Barbecue. At 2 p.m., my older son and I will “announce” a pickup baseball game for adults and teens, not unlike the games played in 1912 on Bowdoinham’s 150th birthday.

And from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., thanks to FHC’s annual extravaganza, there’ll be music, balloon rides, a bouncy house, great food and lots more at the waterfront’s Mailly Park, ending with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. and benefiting the American Red Cross. All are welcome, and admission is free.

Rain or shine, this is a smalltown weekend not to be missed. We hope to see you there.

Seth Berry

Bowdoinham