Labor Day weekend will look a lot different this year than in years past as many of the traditional activities have been canceled, but one is still scheduled and a new meal added.
The Labor Day Bar-B-Que, PIC-NIC-NAC, classic car show, and all the festivities that usually accompany them on Saturday and Monday have been called off “with heavy hearts and prayerful concern,” Carlie Hammond said this week.
Monday, September 7, would have been the 40th annual Labor Day Bar-B-Que in downtown Blue Ridge.
Hammond, who chairs the weekend festivities for the Good Samaritans of Fannin County, said pandemic related concerns, including the supply and cost of meat, the “protected age” category of many of the events’ volunteers, and difficulty social distancing forced the cancellations.
But all is not lost as the Good Samaritans will host their annual Interdenominational Worship Service and a special “drive thru” lunch at the Fannin County Senior Center.
Hammond said the worship service will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday, September 6, in the First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge parking lot with the stage shelter on East First Street. The lot is across from the church.
The service will be broadcast from the stage so guests can stay in their cars or bring their lawn chairs.
The annual Ice Cream Social, donated by Dairy Queen of Blue Ridge, will follow the service.
“All are welcome and invited” to both events, Hammond said.
“Somehow, a Labor Day Bar-B-Que weekend without barbecue just did not seem right,” Hammond said. So Good Samaritan volunteers are hosting a “drive thru” lunch Sunday, September 6, at the Fannin County Senior Center on West First Street next door to Blue Ridge City Hall.
Bar-B-Que sandwich plates, tea, and packaged desserts will be available at no charge from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. However, donations to the Good Samaritans Benevolent Fund are welcome to help offset the financial losses due to the cancellations, especially with the barbeque being the Good Samaritan’s primary fundraising event each year.