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HARTINGTON — One of the most popular spots on the Cedar County Fairgrounds will mark an impressive milestone this year.
Since 1925, the Trinity Lutheran Church Lunch Stand has hosted its annual food stand and fundraiser at the Cedar County Fair.
Pastor of the church for the past 13 years, Amanda Talley, said the congregation nearly overlooked this year’s milestone anniversary.
“Nobody knew when it exactly started. We just knew that it had been going on for a really long time,” said Talley.
Talley said that last year, Carole Nordby’s children were looking through her belongings after her death and found church documents. The papers were brought to Talley and included a “history blurb.”
“We finally found this firm date — just in time to celebrate,” said Talley. “It was just perfect.”
To honor the founding of the food stand, the church plans to serve a chicken dinner on Sunday, July 20. Talley said in the early years of the fair, chicken dinners were the original menu item.
“Before the fair, all the ladies of the church would get together and butcher the chickens and cook them up,” said Talley.
Though she was unsure how accurate that story is, the congregation plans to serve their own broasted chicken to honor the foundational dish.
The chicken will be available starting at noon until supplies last.
“We really appreciate the opportunity to serve our community every year,” said Talley. “It gives us a chance to work with people that we might not always interact with on a daily basis.”
Talley said the food stand is the church’s main fundraiser for the year and continues to grow with the support of the community, fair and customers.
“We’re so thankful for all the members of the congregation, as well as friends and family members, people from the community who come and work and make it happen,” said Talley. “Of course, we’re thankful for everybody who comes and eats and supports it. We really appreciate everybody’s support.”
