(Marion) — The countdown is on for one of Marion’s most anticipated summer traditions. This weekend marks the return of the 89th Annual Sausage Supper hosted by the Marion Volunteer Fire Department. This year’s event is set for Saturday, Aug. 2, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church.
Marion Fire Chief Jeremy Davenport says the event is not only a fundraiser but a homecoming tradition featuring the community’s signature sausage meal.
“We’ve been serving a sausage plate for 89 years or at least as long as I can remember it. We locally source it. We use Circle G Catering which is David Goerke and we use Penshorn’s (Meat Market) for the meat. We start serving at 11 o’clock. We will go until we run out or at 5-6 p.m. at the latest. We also have a live auction at 3 p.m. where we will be auctioning off several things that we have had donated from throughout the community – homemade goods as well as wares. There are some vendors that will be there selling various things as well,” said Davenport.
Alongside the sausage supper, the event will include a full day of fun with games, music, vendors, beer, lemonade, and a dunking booth.
Davenport says all proceeds from the event directly benefit the Marion Volunteer Fire Department year-round.
“This is a major fundraiser for the volunteer fire department that serves the city of Marion, the city of Santa Clara and the county surrounding those two cities. We are 100 percent volunteer. We do get some tax funding, but this is by far our only and major fundraiser for doing capital equipment purchases and keeping our men and women of the fire service equipped with what they need to do their jobs,” said Davenport.
Davenport says each year they work to invite more and more of their growing community. He says the support shown this weekend goes to benefit everyone.
“It’s a tight knit community and while it is growing, we invite everybody to come out. Come out and get to know your neighbors. When things happen, having neighbors and having community that you can pull together is invaluable,” said Davenport. “So, come out. Get to know us. Get to know your firefighters.”
Sausage meals are $15 each and can be enjoyed on-site. To-go plates and a drive-through will also be available.
The Immaculate Conception Church is located at 212 N. Barnett in Marion.