FALL FESTIVAL 2018
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The 63rd Annual Rotary Chicken
Barbeque in Plymouth this year will
have an international flavor.
As has become a tradition, the
exchange students sponsored by the
Rotary clubs in the district will be in
attendance, getting a taste of real
American barbeque during the Sunday
event. Barbeque Chairman Mike
Muma explained that for several years,
the club has hosted the 15 or 20
exchange students, their host families
and a club representative during the
traditional Sunday event.
“These are students from around
the world,” Muma said. “They usually
attend an orientation at the community
center and then come to the barbeque
for lunch. They will sit in a special area
by the fountain near Union Street and
we put up flags from the various coun-
tries represented.”
Muma explained that Plymouth City
Manager Paul Sincock was the Rotary
District Governor this year, adding
even more importance to the visit of
the exchange students.
Muma, who joined the Noon Rotary
Club in Plymouth in 1985 shortly after
he and his wifemoved to the communi-
ty, said that he is hoping the event this
year runs as smoothly as it has in the
past.
“We will serve about 10,500 din-
ners,” he said. “Nobody but the
PlymouthRotary Club coulddo it.”
Muma and his committee will be
helped by about 100 Rotarians and
another 700 volunteers in the effort
which actually begins Saturday
evening behind The Gathering when a
military-like operation begins building
the long, narrow barbeque pits which
produce the unique flavor of “Rotary
Chicken.” The pit walls are cinder
blocks, some of which are still in use
from the very first chicken barbeque
which took place in a city park. About
500 people attended that barbeque,
designed as a fundraiser to buy play-
ground equipment for a local park.
The ground between the cinder
See
Rotary,
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The start of it all
63rd Chicken Sunday will have international flavor this year
If purchased on Sunday,
the dinner tickets are $14.
They can be purchased
in front of The Gathering
or at West Middle School
at Sheldon Road
and Ann Arbor Trail,
where carryout service is
handled. Dinners are available
from 11 a.m. until sold out.
