Millinocket Knights of Columbus Hosts Annual Barbecue

"This is our tourism season. This is big for us as we can capture as many tourists that can come into the area."

Thousands of people travel to the Katahdin region every summer.

And one of the busiest times of the season is the 4th of July.

On Sunday, folks from the Millinocket Knights of Columbus hosted their annual chicken barbecue.

A draw for the locals and tourists alike.

"We want to showcase the Katahdin region for people from all visitors regardless of where they're from and to show what some people here take for granted and what a lot of people consider God's country."

This is the 12th year for the barbecue.

Organizers say that this is one of the biggest events they host every year.

"This is a big highlight for me because we're all as far as the Knights of Columbus are we are all pretty proud and enjoy this particular weekend."

Folks from all over the country travel to Millinocket this time of year, but it wouldn't be the same without a stop at the annual barbecue.

"We love to listen to them because they come in and you can hear them at the tables chatting about where they're from or what they do or what they've seen like touring the mountain or the ice caves or any local thing they've done."

Close to three hundred people turn out for the event every summer.

Organizers say this barbecue is way to give back to the community who supports them throughout the year.

And, as for what the 4th of July means to them?

"It means to me, patriotic. It reminds us of the sacrifices our four fathers made in order for us to gain our independence and we should never forget that."