It must be summer in Rutherford County when the mercury starts rising and the Blackman community stages its annual barbecue.
The barbecue started in 1949 to fund the Blackman Community Club.
At the time, it was held at people’s homes. The festival was then held at the club for many years until it outgrew the grounds and moved to the middle school last year.
The family friendly event celebrates its 60th year and the community’s 201st birthday from 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 26 at Blackman Middle School.
“Come one out and have a good time in a family friendly environment,” Pitmon said.
The Blackman Barbecue features barbecue and all the fixins’, of course, inflatables for the kids, a performance by the Cripple Creek Cloggers, a local band, live auction and ice cream compliments of Purity Dairies.
Tickets are available at the door for $8 for adults and $4 for children.
The annual community festival supports the Blackman Community Club, which was formed in 1949 by the women of the community.
“It (the community club) used to play a bigger role,” Blackman Community Club President Billy Pitmon said, adding the club’s population is aging.
After the community club was built, it quickly became a gathering place where community members would watch television and keep up with their neighbors.
But with the recent growth of the community, many of the newer transplants don’t know about the club or annual barbecue, Pitmon said.
Pitmon, himself a transplant from McMinnville by way of the Air Force, said he joined the club to give his son Carson, 3, a sense of community.
“I want him to take pride in where he lives,” Pitmon said.
Aside from providing a sense of community, the Blackman Community Club also supports its members.
“We do a lot of different things, Pitmon said, like giving a college scholarship to one lucky Blackman High School senior annually.
The club also helps needy families from Blackman Elementary, Middle and High schools.
“We try to be involved in what’s going on in the community,” Pitmon said.
But he wants the community to also be involved in the club, which meets for a potluck the first Tuesday of every month at the community club and holds the annual barbecue.
Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com. |
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