Saturday, Henleyfield Community Inc. will host its first BBQ and Blues Out at the Henleyfield Community Center in Carriere.
According to the group’s biography, the 501© (3) organization was founded in 2005 and boasts a membership of 160.
HCI was established to strengthen communication among the community’s 800 households, HCI board president Gail Flint said. The group also strives to make improvements to the community center as well as preserve Henleyfield’s history.
Throughout the year, HCI sponsors many community events including an Easter sunrise service, a plant sale, political forums, Heritage Day, iPhone and iPad classes and exercises classes, Flint said.
“We have also raised enough funds to build a pavilion at the community center, two playgrounds, improve landscaping and complete new electrical work at the center,” Flint said.
“The center can be utilized by members of the Henleyfield community at no charge. Anyone else wishing to use the facility must have a sponsor from within the community. We also give out a $1,000 scholarship to a senior in the community.”
In addition to managing the center, HCI also maintains the website and community calendar of events, all of which are used quite a lot by the community, Flint said. Henleyfield residents can also join an email list to stay informed.
All HCI members are volunteers, Flint said.
“Without HCI, I don’t know how the center would be open to residents,” Flint said. “The political forums keep our residents informed. At the community center we have a veterans display and a video on our website to honor the Henleyfield veterans.”
Saturday’s event is open to the public and will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Henleyfield Community Center Pavilion, located at 5397 Highway 43 North, Carriere.
Event highlights include live musical performances by the Trent Ladner Band and a Boulevard Cruisers Car Show, Flint said.
There will be food plates available for $15. The plates will feature BBQ from Fortenberry’s BBQ, Flint said. Available food options include BBQ pork sandwiches, smoked chicken quarters, smoked sausage, potato salad, baked beans, white bread and dessert. Plates can be purchased at or prior to event, she said.
For more information visit www.henleyfield.com and through Facebook at Henleyfield Community.
Contact Flint at 601-590-1093 and through email at hci2@att.net.