Posted on Aug 18, 2022
Flathead Marines continue barbecue chicken dinner tradition
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Half a chicken grilled over hot briquets and served with an ear of buttery corn, the barbecue chicken dinner at the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo has been a mouth-watering staple for generations. When the Flathead Marines took over the barbecue pit from the Whitefish VFW a few years back, they understood they were accepting a big responsibility.
President of the Flathead Marines Arthur Woolley remembers one of his co-workers telling him that eating the chicken dinner at the fair had been one of the highlights of his summer since childhood. When he learned that Woolley and the Flathead Marines would be in charge of the pit, he didn’t mince words telling him in no uncertain terms not to mess it up.
The barbecue chicken dinner dates back at least to the Kalispell Jaycees, who had the booth before the Whitefish VFW, according to Woolley. The “secret dry rub” made of herbs and spices that the Jaycees used is still part of the magic, along with the tradition of cooking the chicken over charcoal briquets rather than on a gas grill.
President of the Flathead Marines Arthur Woolley remembers one of his co-workers telling him that eating the chicken dinner at the fair had been one of the highlights of his summer since childhood. When he learned that Woolley and the Flathead Marines would be in charge of the pit, he didn’t mince words telling him in no uncertain terms not to mess it up.
The barbecue chicken dinner dates back at least to the Kalispell Jaycees, who had the booth before the Whitefish VFW, according to Woolley. The “secret dry rub” made of herbs and spices that the Jaycees used is still part of the magic, along with the tradition of cooking the chicken over charcoal briquets rather than on a gas grill.
Flathead Marines continue barbecue chicken dinner tradition
Posted from dailyinterlake.com
Marines
State of Montana
Rodeo
Food/Chow
Posted >1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."To achieve optimum flavor, the Flathead Marines slow-cook their chicken with an array of “secret herbs and spices.” This year marks their fifth year hosting a food booth and third year specializing in chicken. And when consumers make an order, they’re not just walking away with a satisfying meal — their dollars go toward helping veterans right here in the Flathead Valley.
The Flathead Marines is a nonprofit organization with a membership of U.S. Marine Corps veterans, their spouses and Navy veterans who served alongside Marines. They contribute to Toys for Tots, Socks for Heroes and the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. The organization also helps support fellow Marines in times of need.
“We’ve got our Marine Assistance Fund,” Woolley explained. “Anybody in the group, if you blow a water heater or something and it’s still a week before payday, we swoop in and we take care of those veterans.”
..."To achieve optimum flavor, the Flathead Marines slow-cook their chicken with an array of “secret herbs and spices.” This year marks their fifth year hosting a food booth and third year specializing in chicken. And when consumers make an order, they’re not just walking away with a satisfying meal — their dollars go toward helping veterans right here in the Flathead Valley.
The Flathead Marines is a nonprofit organization with a membership of U.S. Marine Corps veterans, their spouses and Navy veterans who served alongside Marines. They contribute to Toys for Tots, Socks for Heroes and the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. The organization also helps support fellow Marines in times of need.
“We’ve got our Marine Assistance Fund,” Woolley explained. “Anybody in the group, if you blow a water heater or something and it’s still a week before payday, we swoop in and we take care of those veterans.”
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