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Brian Birchfield performs at the 50th Anniversary Columbus Firehouse BBQ (Photo by Grant Langston)

CDs and Columbus Fire Dept. merchandise were available at the Fields of Grace tent at the event (Photo by Grant Langston)

Brian Birchfield performs at the 50th Anniversary Columbus Firehouse BBQ (Photo by Grant Langston)

Locals celebrate with food and gospel music to raise funds 

COLUMBUS—The Columbus Fire Department held its 50th Anniversary Columbus Firehouse BBQ event over the weekend at Veterans Park, featuring great food and an abundance of talented gospel artists. The event will conclude this evening.

The four-day event opened Friday the 30th, with Foothills Mountain BBQ serving up its legendary barbecue, chicken and hot dogs at the fire station while locals enjoyed the gospel stylings of Fields of Grace, Brian Birchfield, New Chosen and the Atkins Family.

“It’s just a great community event. People love to come here, and it’s just a good, relaxed atmosphere. We’ve had a lot of great gospel singers here,” said music director James Metcalf. “Of course, we’re also supporting the fire department, as well. It’s just a great community event. Everybody really enjoys it.”

Foothills Mountain BBQ continued its services into Saturday, with the Columbus Fire Dept. taking over Sunday and Monday, providing the community with their own mouth-watering barbecue and hot dogs. The four-evening celebration included 11 more gospel acts, such as Greg and Brooke Day, Greater Purpose and the Special Anniversary Choir.

Music began at 7 p.m. each night at the pavilion in Veterans Park. The Columbus Fire Dept began selling their own barbecue and hot dogs Sunday, July 2, at 11 a.m. through the night of Monday, July 3.

“For the past 50 years we’ve had countless bluegrass and gospel groups performing, and every year the fire department personnel and the ladies auxiliary prepare close to 2,000 lbs of bbq and around 1,000 hot dogs, and the money raised is used for equipment and station upgrades,” said Columbus Fire Chief Tony Priester. 

“We’re proud to be part of this event for the past 50 years, with excellent food and gospel music,” says Priester. “I would like to thank all of our supporters and sponsors for the past 50 years. This is a place where not only can you get your body, but your soul fed.”

The BBQ and Gospel Sing takes place each year over the four days leading up to Independence Day. The Columbus Fire Dept. is located at 100 S. Peak St. in Columbus.

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