On Saturday, Aug. 17, lunch is already planned for you, and there's entertainment to go along with it. The Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its 29th annual chicken barbecue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Milanof-Schock Library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy. Prepurchased meals must be picked up by 1 p.m.

Meals will include a half-chicken from Peters' Barbecue, a baked potato, applesauce, a roll and butter, a whoopie pie and a drink. Dinners with only a half-chicken and drink will also be available.

Proceeds from the chicken barbecue will benefit student scholarships, community events and Chamber functions.

"Buying tickets for the Chamber's fundraiser not only means you'll enjoy a delicious, hassle-free meal, but you'll also be helping your friends' and neighbors' businesses thrive," said Rachel Stebbins, Mount Joy Borough community and economic development coordinator and grant writer and also a member of the Chamber board. "The money raised stays right here in our community, funding networking events and activities that keep the town buzzing and support local livelihoods."

Giant is the major sponsor of the chicken barbecue.

"Without the community's support, we wouldn't be able to offer the resources that help make Mount Joy such a fantastic place to live and work," Stebbins shared.

Tickets for the barbecue may be purchased at JB Hostetter & Sons, 1225 W. Main St., Mount Joy; the Milanof-Schock Library; the Chamber office, 62 E. Main St., Mount Joy; and at the Aug. 11 Music in Memorial Park concert, starting at 5 p.m. at 101 Marietta Ave., Mount Joy. Tickets may also be purchased by contacting any member of the Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce. Prepurchasing tickets is strongly encouraged, but a limited number of meals will be available at the event.

Along with the chicken barbecue, the library will host a Love Your Library Benefit Bash to celebrate its silver anniversary. The festivities will be held on Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon; and on Monday, Aug. 19, through Thursday, Aug. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m.

"This event is our annual fundraiser for the library which includes (giveaway drawings) and auction items as well as ... other opportunities to support the library," said Stephanie Funk, operations coordinator. "Due to popular demand, we're also bringing back the Lego contest for a second year. Saturday we will have outdoor lawn games - some of which will be added to the library circulation for patrons to borrow after the event."

Each evening will feature different events and entertainment. On Monday, the Friends of the Milanof-Schock Library will host a reunion, inviting people to return if they were former Friends and encouraging the public to learn more about how the Friends support the library. On Tuesday, Aug. 20, all-ages bingo will be held. On Wednesday, Aug. 21, people are invited to travel around the library to learn about all of the clubs the library has to offer. The celebration will wrap up on Aug. 22 with entertainment by Sound of Roses and an opportunity to meet Marietta's famous Maggie Bird. The auction, giveaways and Lego contest will be open throughout the week's events.

"We hold a fundraiser event every year, but this year is extra special as it's our 25th year with the name Milanof-Schock Library, the 25th year in our current location, the 25th year of the Friends of Milanof-Schock Library," Funk said, noting that it is also the 60th year that the library has been in Mount Joy. The festivities are sponsored by Hershey Heating & Air Conditioning.

"We encourage everyone to come out and support the library while also having fun," she said. "You'll have an opportunity to celebrate the history of the library, to celebrate 25 years of Milanof-Schock Library as we know it today, while helping build the foundation for the next 25 years."