In 2005, when the capital campaign to build the new Gardiner Library kicked into high gear, the Sycoff family, proprietors of Brookside Farm, offered to host a town-wide BBQ at Majestic Park to support the building effort. Sharon Syckoff’s parents and a few of their friends made the trek from their home in South Carolina to Gardiner with a smoker and other essential supplies—one of those being Sharon’s Dad’s famous BBQ sauce. The Syckoff’s provided the pork, chicken and fixins and a grand time was had by all. It was at this event that the Pie and Cake Auction was launched. The Syckoff’s repeated this act of generosity for years until family and business responsibilities made it too difficult to continue, but the library never forgot their kindness and that of their extended families, nor the success of the model.
Fast forward to 2014. The library, a thriving community gathering place, is again looking for a fundraiser to supplement its operating budget, a budget that hasn’t been increased since 2008. Reminiscent of past BBQ’s, a Pig Roast, catered by Paul Casamento, is planned for Saturday, October 11th (Columbus Day Weekend) 11-4 at Majestic Park. Both Paul and his family have been Gardiner Library patrons since childhood.
The Sycoff’s have, once again, offered to donate chicken and pork for what the library is calling Gardiner’s Bounty—Books, Beats and BBQ. The event will include meet and greets with local authors, publishers and illustrators, performances by local musicians, the Pig Roast, a Kid’s Flea Market and the signature Pie and Cake Auction.
Other planned activities include a costume/dress up photo “booth” where kids can pick out a costume or show up in their Halloween costumes for a photo taken by local photographer, Marlis Momber. The Kid’s Flea Market will take place in the Majestic Park barn, where a 10 foot space can be reserved for $10. The first item in the Pie and Cake auction, once again featuring the Library Cake baked by pastry chef, Maya Eyler, goes up for bid at 1:30.
Eat BBQ including pork, chicken, corn, coleslaw, pasta salad and beverages from 11:30 to 1:30 for $20 advance sale. There will be a limited number of tickets for the Pig Roast for sale for $30 the day of the event. Additional meal options will be available for purchase.
Enjoy some great food, listen to local musicians, talk to a favorite author, take home a picture of a happy kid, bid on a cake, support your library. Mark your calendars for Gardiner’s Bounty Family Festival, “Books, Beats and BBQ,” at Majestic Park on Saturday, October 11th!