Lampeter-Strasburg athletics will kick off the new school year with the Pioneer Strong chicken barbecue and the Pioneer Pride Classic on Thursday, Aug. 25.

The second annual Pioneer Strong chicken barbecue will raise money for scholarships in memory of Ryan Smith, Class of 2018; Tobias Leaman, Class of 2020; and Ryan "Whitey" Weitzel, Class of 2008, through the Pioneer Strong fund. Proceeds also will be used to create a Pioneer Strong fund for students and families in need due to illness, injury, or disaster. The barbecue will run from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the track parking lot, located on Rosier Way. Separate fees have been set for full dinners and for individual half-chickens. Dinners can be reserved in advance or on-site while supplies last. To order online, visit https://sites.google.com/l-spioneers.org/pioneerstrong/chicken-dinner.

The fifth annual Pioneer Pride Classic will be held in JK Mechanical Stadium, located on Rosier Way, and will kick off the 2022-23 sports season. It will include performances from the varsity football cheerleading squad and the Lampeter-Strasburg High School marching band, along with recognition of athletes and coaches from fall, winter, and spring teams. The free event will begin at 7 p.m.