{"id":4453,"date":"2016-01-19T14:22:23","date_gmt":"2016-01-19T21:22:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.finditinlaveen.com\/?p=4453"},"modified":"2016-04-26T16:52:33","modified_gmt":"2016-04-26T23:52:33","slug":"countdown-to-laveen-community-parade-and-laveen-pit-barbecue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/finditinlaveen.com\/countdown-to-laveen-community-parade-and-laveen-pit-barbecue\/","title":{"rendered":"Laveen Village Voice: Countdown to parade and barbecue"},"content":{"rendered":"

In less than a month we celebrate our agrarian heritage with the Laveen Community Parade on Feb. 6 and the Annual Laveen Pit Barbecue on Feb. 21.<\/p>\n

Hundreds of community volunteers, local business and local leaders pitch in thousands of hours to make these events enjoyable successful. \"5\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cLaveen is a unique, close-knit community,\u201d says Jeff Sprout, parade chairman for the Laveen Lions Club, which sponsors the event that unfolds along Dobbins Road. \u201cOne of the ways to maintain that closeness is having the parade and the barbecue.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year marks the 16th<\/sup> for the parade and the theme is \u201cGrowing Together.\u201d Sprout, who also serves as executive director of human resources for the Laveen Elementary School District, said it is free for businesses and organizations to take part in the parade. \u00a0Last year, there were 62 entries, featuring local boy and girl scouts, charter schools, marching bands from Cesar Chavez and Betty Fairfax high schools, prancing horses, floats, massive farm equipment and floats from dozens of local businesses and youth sports groups, marching along from 43rd<\/sup> Avenue to 51st<\/sup> Avenue.<\/p>\n

\"12046833_1179969725352237_4717099269301700333_n\"<\/a>Signups are underway and anyone wanting to participate can contact Sprout at laveencommunityparade@gmail.com<\/a> for additional information.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat other community has this?\u201d Sprout asks. \u201cWhere every year, everyone in the community comes together for these two events? It really makes Laveen a special place.\u201d<\/p>\n

The barbecue, marking its 64th<\/sup> year, has been in Laveen longer most of its 50,000 residents. The first event was an informal affair in 1952 when a group of rancher\u2019s wives hosted a fundraiser at the old Laveen Elementary School at the southwest corner of Dobbins Road and 51st<\/sup> avenue to fight against polio. The food-fest continued to take place at the same site until about five years ago when it moved for two years to Betty Fairfax High School before settling two years ago at the Corona Ranch & Rodeo Grounds, bringing back the rural vibe.<\/p>\n

In comparison, at last year\u2019s event, more than 3,400 pounds of pork and beef was cooked up and served by volunteers to about 2,000 people. Another 4,000 came to stroll through the vendor booths and exhibits, according to Stephanie Hurd, chairwoman of this year\u2019s event. Hurd was a co-chair for 2015 and volunteered in 2014 as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what it\u2019s about. We want everyone to get tougher and talk and get to know each other,\u201d Hurd said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to send out a newsletter to all residents to let them know about and encourage them to get involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

The barbecue is sponsored by the Laveen Community Council, a nonprofit volunteer organization that boasts more than 300 volunteers and more than 25 community organizations that are members.\u00a0 \u201cAny money we take goes back to the community,\u201d Hurd explained.<\/p>\n

Youth groups, animal supporters, school organizations \u2013 all can apply to the council to request financial support. Throughout the spring, the council will be accepting applications from local high school students for the three $1,000 grants that are awarded each May to graduating seniors.<\/p>\n

Hurd said that sometimes the barbecue \u2013 depending on the donations and sponsorships \u2013 is a big fundraiser for the council while other times, the group is happy to break even.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome years we don\u2019t make hardly any money. With sponsors, we make money. It totally depends,\u201d she said. For the second year, Dignity Health \u2013 Arizona General Hospital has agreed to be a major sponsor for the barbecue.<\/p>\n

Hurd said her team is still lining up additional sponsors and donors for food items. Visit www.laveen.org to volunteer, donate or sign up as a vendor or sponsor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are only a handful of people who plan it, and then there are about 200 volunteers the day of. It\u2019s a massive undertaking,\u201d Hurd says.<\/p>\n

A related event, the Best of Laveen Photo Contest, returns for its third time during the month of February. Laveen residents are invited to submit their favorite Laveen photo via Facebook for a chance to win gift cards to the Laveen business of their choice. First place is a $100 gift card, second is $50 and third is $25. Previous winners spent their prize money at Red Dragon Express, Fry\u2019s, Home Depot and a Child\u2019s Image.<\/p>\n

The contest is sponsored by AZ Media Maven<\/a>, my Laveen-based marketing company. In its first year, about 40 people voted on handful of photos. In last year\u2019s contest, more than 500 votes were cast to determine the winning photo of the flyover that opens the parade. For more information, visit AZ Media Maven on Facebook<\/a>, or email laveenphotos@azmediamaven.com<\/a> to request contest rules.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

GET INVOLVED:<\/strong><\/p>\n