'Back Home': Cutchogue Fire Department's Beloved Annual Chicken Barbecue Unfolds Under Iconic Tent: Photos

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CUTCHOGUE, NY — A huge crowd out turned out for a time-honored tradition Saturday as the 69th Annual Cutchogue Fire Department Chicken Barbecue returned to its normal, beloved spot under the tent this summer.

After the completion of a new firehouse, unveiled this year, the 69th Annual Chicken Barbecue was held under the tent and in its traditional format back home on firehouse grounds, located at 260 New Suffolk Road in Cutchogue.

"The summer tradition returns," the Cutchogue Fire Department said.

The event has been a North Fork tradition for generations, with tickets selling quickly.

The night was filled with music, laughter, and some of the best chicken found anywhere, bar none.

"On Saturday, August 22, the United Fire Company #1 and the Cutchogue Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary hosted their 69th Annual Chicken Barbecue," the CFD said. "This annual event has grown since its beginning to serve over 3,200 people each year."

Considered "Long Island's Largest Chicken Barbecue," the event takes place each year on the fourth Saturday in August, and for many families, the event has officially marked the end of the summer on the North Fork, the CFD said.

"With the early morning clouds clearing and temperatures in the near 70s the stage was set for another successful event," the CFD said.

Because of the new firehouse construction, the event had been held off-site at Peconic Bay Vineyards in Cutchogue for the past two years, officials said.

"This year we were happy to be 'Back Home,' hosting the event once again on the fire district grounds across from our new firehouse," the CFD said.

"This year's barbecue was hopefully better than ever," the CFD added. "The Cutchogue Fire Department was pleased to serve well over 3,200 smiling faces in person during the night under the 'Big Tent', and in take-out."

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CFD members began their day at 8 a.m., finalizing preparations for the barbecue, officials said.

Volunteers, over the course of the morning, began husking more than 7,000 ears of corn, readying more than 1,000 pounds of potato salad, sliced peaches, and cucumbers for the homemade salads, prepared by the CFD Auxiliary, officials said.

Shortly after noon, the fires were lit to cook the more than 3,500 halves of chicken "needed to serve the hungry barbecue goers. Throughout the afternoon the smell of barbecued chicken and smoke filled the air around Cutchogue," officials said.

At 3:30 p.m., chickens were served as the sold-out crowd lined up to be seated under the tent, the CFD said. "This would continue until the last ticket holder was seated at nearly 9 p.m.," the CFD said.

And, in what has now become a CFD tradition, the CFD marching band entered the tent for a special performance to close out the night "to the delight of everyone attending," the CFD said.

"The Officers and Members of the Cutchogue Fire Department and the CFD Ladies Auxiliary would like to thank our membership, the many volunteers, CFD Junior Firefighters, CFD family members, local businesses and members of the community for their continued support of this annual fundraising event," the CFD said.

"Thank you to Chairman Richard Jernick III, his committee, and all of the CFD members for your hard work leading up to and throughout the week to make this 69th Annual Chicken Barbecue a huge success," the CFD continued.

"Thank you to Stony Brook University Eastern Long Island Hospital for once again being the corporate sponsor of this year's event, as well as all of our other banner sponsors and raffle supporters. Your continued support is greatly appreciated," the CFD said.

The CFD also thanked the Mattituck and Southold Fire Departments who stood by providing fire and EMS coverage during the event, as well as the Southold Town Police Department, who assisted with traffic control "and keeping us all safe."

Other organizations that assisted us with logistical help and donated equipment included, the CFD said:

Braun Seafood
A.W. Glover Trucking
Coastline Cesspool & Drain
Suffolk County Fire-Rescue
Southold Town Highway Department

"Thank you to the many community volunteers who helped by working the event. Some of our community volunteers this year included cadets from the Southold Mattituck -Greenport NJROTC unit and Kait's Angels," the CFD said. "We are truly grateful for the help and support from everyone."

"It great to have the community celebrate this great summer event with us," the CFD said. "A North Fork summer tradition for 69 years! We eagerly look forward to next year."

The Cutchogue Fire Department's chicken is so good, in fact, that Martha Stewart raved about it after attending in 1997 — and guests have said for years that it's the best they've ever tasted.