"I have been told by many people that we have the best chicken barbecue," said Kerry Meyers, executive director of the Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce. "We use Peters' Barbecue, and a lot of people love him. Our whoopie pies are also a big selling point."

The Chamber will hold its annual chicken barbecue on Saturday, Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Milanof-Schock Library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy. Tickets include a half-chicken, a baked potato, applesauce, a roll and butter, a whoopie pie and a drink. An option to purchase just a half-chicken and a drink will also be offered.

Proceeds from the Chamber's chicken barbecue go right back into the community, Meyers noted. "We use the money for our everyday running of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as our scholarships," she said, adding that this past year, the Chamber awarded seven scholarships to local students, totaling $4,500. "We also use the proceeds to support community events like Music in Memorial Park."

Meyers emphasized that the chicken barbecue relies heavily on the support of sponsors. "We could not do this without them," she said. "The sponsors help cover the cost of the majority of the barbecue so that our ticket sales are mostly profit." Giant Food Store in Mount Joy is the major sponsor of the chicken barbecue. Dombach Builders is the event sponsor.

Meyers noted that some meals will be available on the day of the barbecue, but she recommended purchasing tickets ahead of time. "We often come very close to selling out," she said. Tickets are available at JB Hostetter & Sons, 1225 W. Main St., Mount Joy; the Milanof-Schock Library; and the Chamber office, 62 E. Main St., Mount Joy. Tickets will also be for sale at the Music in Memorial Park concerts on Sundays, Aug. 7 and 14. "If you prepurchase tickets, you must pick your chicken up by 1 p.m. on the day of the barbecue," Meyers remarked, adding that prepurchased tickets must be bought by noon on Friday, Aug. 19.

For more information on the chicken barbecue, visit https://mountjoychamber.com.