The event also includes a cash bash raffle at 5 p.m. with a top prize of $1,000. Raffle tickets are $10 with a limit of 750 tickets and may be purchased in advance from members of the sponsoring clubs and at Ed’s BP station. Raffle tickets are sold separately from the dinner.

Proceeds from last year’s dinner raised $7,000 for the Durand Education Foundation. In recent years the event also helped fund dugouts in Optimist Park, painting the historical locomotive GTW 5632 in Iron Horse Park, and constructing handicapped accessible sidewalk in Trumble Park.

The chicken barbecue is planned and sponsored by five local organizations: The Durand Rotary Club; Durand Eagles Aerie 3851; VFW Post 2272 and Auxiliary; Durand Area Lions; and Greater Durand Area Chamber of Commerce. The event is also supported with donations from local businesses and the help of dozens of volunteers.