Civitas Lancaster announced Friday it is discontinuing its annual chicken barbecue at Long’s Park, considered largest such event in the world.
Rising cost, lessening demand and a scarcity of volunteers are driving the decision, Civitas President Nicki Nafziger said in a media release.
“This was a very difficult decision for us to make because so many people have been a part of this event for decades. But it no longer makes financial sense for us to expend the effort it takes to run this huge undertaking for the small return we are now generating,” she said.
As an organization, Civitas remains financially sound, she emphasized. It will continue to pursue its mission while seeking grants and conducting other fundraisers.
Civitas’ activities include maintaining Long’s Park; running after-school programs and an annual summer “Kids Kamp” for at-risk children; and supporting “Civiteen” community service clubs at local high schools.
Civitas Lancaster is a successor to the Sertoma Club of Lancaster, with Sertoma standing for “Service to Mankind.” The organization rebranded in 2019.
Sertoma and Civitas hosted 69 chicken barbecue fundraisers beginning in 1953. The event was not held in 2020 due to the pandemic.
