Strimbu Memorial Fund BBQ May 6 at Yankee Lake
BROOKFIELD, Ohio – Country-rock star Chris Higbee will again headline the Strimbu BBQ at the Yankee Lake Ballroom here. Set for May 6, the event, now in its 26th year, is part of the fundraising effort for the Strimbu Memorial Fund.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. The event is sponsored by First National Bank of Pennsylvania.
“The Strimbu Memorial Fund was created to perpetuate the work of the late Nick Strimbu Jr., who had a passion for leading individuals and economic development agencies in order to attract, assist and retain the industrial base of the valley,” said Paul O’Brien, board president. “In addition, when the Strimbu Memorial Fund awards scholarships to area students, we are investing in the life of a person — and that is worth millions.”
Since its inception in 1990, the fund has provided millions of dollars in donations and college scholarships. At last year’s event, it awarded $55,000 in scholarships to local high school students. This year, the fund will award leadership scholarships of $2,000 each to qualified high school seniors in 14 local school districts, with an additional $10,000 awarded to the overall leader, O’Brien said..
The fund also supports local economic development and many charitable organizations. Last December, the fund awarded nearly $175,000 in grants to area organizations and individuals.
Annually the event draws a sell-out crowd of 1,600. Last year, the event’s 25th anniversary, netted $200,000 in proceeds and featured a car raffle, O’Brien said.
The food, catered by Jeffrey Chrystal Catering, will be reminiscent of a full-scale Texas barbeque with a multitude of appetizers, plus blackened catfish, barbecued ribs, cherry wood fire chicken, smoked turkey breast, pork loin and more.
Dinner will be served until 9 p.m. At 9:30 p.m., wood-fired pizzas will be served until 11 p.m. New to this year’s event is a premium wine bar with souvenir wine glasses.
In addition, the night will feature both silent and live auctions. Items up for bid include utility vehicles, travel packages, Lake Erie walleye fishing trips, sporting event tickets and loges, furniture, dinner packages and assorted jewelry items.
“The event is also known for its giveaway of a bag of Vidalia onions to all those in attendance,” O’Brien said. “This tradition started as the Strimbu family always brought back Vidalia onions from the South to give to their friends.”
Tickets are $90 and are available by calling John Holliday at 724 699 8869 or by email.
Pictured: A section of the dinner buffet at last year’s event.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
