June 28, 2023 |
Photo – Veteran’s Island – Bigfoot99 file photo
A lack of volunteers caused the Saratoga Days Committee to take over the American Legion’s 4th of July BBQ.
Every year, after Saratoga’s 4th of July parade ends, the American Legion offers free music on Veteran’s Island and a paid BBQ. Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman and Saratoga Days Committee Member Scott McIlvaine said this year, the American Legion was stretched too thin with other activities to put on the traditional after party event.
McIlvaine said the Saratoga Days Committee provides the band for the American Legion event on Veteran’s Island. The West King String Band, a Nashville, Tennessee folk quartet, will play at this year’s BBQ. McIlvaine said the American Legion uses the event to raise money for the organization.
With the band already paid for, McIlvaine knew they couldn’t outright cancel the Veteran’s Island BBQ. After speaking to the local American Legion commander, McIlvaine said the Saratoga Days Committee members decided to take over the cookout and concert. McIlvaine said donations from this year’s event will go toward the Saratoga Days Committee instead of the American Legion.
McIlvaine said he completely understood the difficulty the American Legion had getting people to work the BBQ event. Finding volunteers is hard, said McIlvaine, and he doesn’t harbor any ill will toward the veteran’s organization.
Bigfoot99 asked McIlvaine if the Saratoga Days Committee would be hosting the Veteran’s Island BBQ from now on. McIlvaine said he wants the American Legion to handle the event in the future. If not, McIlvaine said the committee will keep the tradition alive.
McIlvaine invites people to come to Veteran’s Island as soon as the party in town is over. He said volunteers will be serving up traditional BBQ foods during the event. McIlvaine said drinks will also be offered, both alcoholic and not.
McIlvaine said the Saratoga Days Committee hasn’t finalized the menu yet because of the short notice.
McIlvaine said none of the members of the Saratoga Days Committee feel negatively toward the American Legion. He said he recognizes that the veteran’s organization is short staffed.
The music and BBQ on Veteran’s Island begins after the Saratoga 4th of July parade ends. Non-alcoholic beverages will be free. The sale of food will help fund next year’s event.
