By Sarah Mahan

The Selma Times-Journal

The Selma Emblem Club has hosted an annual barbecue for the past twenty years in order to raise money to benefit the community.

Joyce Canada, president of the Selma Emblem Club, explained why the organization’s barbecue has always been so popular.

“We are known for having outstanding barbecue. People brag on it and keep coming back year after year because they know Emblem Club barbecue is some of the best,” she said.

This year’s event will be held Thursday, July 4 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Selma Elks Lodge on Highway 80 West.

Canada said the money raised would go towards funding local scholarships and benefiting local residents.

“We usually give out two to three scholarships that total $2,000 to $3,000 dollars each year,” Canada said.

“We help out in the local community in any way we can. If someone needs help, we try to provide it. We’ve paid people’s utility bills [with the money] and donated to the say no to drug campaign. It’s whatever will help the community,” she added.

The Emblem Club provides a dine-in or take-out option for those purchasing barbecue during their Fourth of July celebrations.

“Both the pounds of barbecue and barbecue plates will be $8. The plates will consist of barbecue, coleslaw, potato, chips, bread and pickles,” Canada said.

“People can begin buying pounds [of barbecue] at 9 a.m., and they can eat inside the Elks Lodge beginning at 11 a.m. They can eat-in or take-out. We just ask them to come out and support the Emblem Club and the community,” she said.