Two Peachtree City churches are joining forces to host a free community picnic immediately before the July 4 fireworks.
First Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church are planning to feed up to 3,000 people in a community barbecue starting at 6 p.m. on their adjacent campuses on Willowbend Road. Some 2,000 people were served last year when First Baptist held the event on its own; the figure is up this year because of the help from the neighboring congregation.
First Baptist has held the community barbecue for the past several years, but this year First Presbyterian asked to join in and help.
“Anyone truly is welcome to come,” said Randy Daughtry of First Baptist. “We will serve until we run out.”
The meat on the menu is ham and brisket, and some 2,500 pounds have been ordered, Daughtry said.
To get the word out, the churches are canvassing neighborhoods placing door hangars with details about the event.
In addition to the food, there will also be an orchestra on hand adding ambience to the event.
A prayer around the flagpole will occur at 8 p.m. to conclude the event.
“We’re just trying to model what Christ did: serve the community with no strings attached,” Daughtry said. “… Come on over, put your chairs out, eat some barbecue, have a good time and watch the fireworks.”
Organizers caution to arrive well before the 6 p.m. start time due to how busy the area is prior to the city’s annual fireworks display over nearby Lake Peachtree. And after the fireworks, leave yourself some time to hang out while the traffic jam dissipates in the area, suggests Daughtry.
And though drinks will be served, it might not be a bad idea to bring your own, as the picnic’s challenge near the end is that ice runs out, Daughtry said. Participants should also bring their own chairs and/or blankets.
The churches are treating the picnic as a mission trip, except instead of jetting off elsewhere they are staying right in town. It will be a labor of love for hundreds of volunteers.
“It’s just a great big family reunion type thing, just a tremendous feeling,” Daughtry said.
To gear up for the event, the churches will be swapping pastors for their Sunday 10 a.m. services July 3 as they prepare to join forces for the super-sized community barbecue.
“We’re going to cross-pollinate a little bit,” Daughtry said. “It’s going to be fun.”
