PINETOWN — The savory taste of barbecue slow-cooked over charcoal, golden-brown hushpuppies to top it all off, homemade desserts that melt in the mouth.

That’s what patrons can expect at Saturday’s annual spring fundraiser for Pinetown Volunteer Fire Department. It’s a tradition that’s in its 17^th year.

“You’re going to be able to get a good home-cooked barbecue or barbecue-chicken plate,” Pinetown VFD Capt. Adrian Boyd said. Suggested donation is an $8 minimum. Ladies in the community bake and donate the desserts.

The fire department hosts one fundraiser in the spring and another in the fall, and Boyd said organizers expect to see as many as 1,200-1,500 people come out on Saturday. Each year the event keeps growing, according to Boyd.

Proceeds at these events go toward maintaining the fire department’s facilities and equipment. This particular fundraiser’s proceeds will go toward the construction of a new building at the Long Acre Substation off of N.C. Highway 32.

“Without the two fundraisers, we wouldn’t be able to operate at the level that we’re operating at today and be as up to date and current with equipment,” Boyd said. “We have a good turnout every year.”

Patrons come from the Pinetown area, but they also come from all over Beaufort County.

“I think they see the importance of what we’re doing as far as providing a service for them,” Boyd said. “They also see the value in what we’re doing on a volunteer basis.”

The food will be ready for guests at 11 a.m., and service continues until it runs out. Come hungry, have a home-cooked meal and support a good cause. That’s the motivation behind this ongoing fundraiser.

“We’re fortunate that we have good community support,” Boyd said.

Pinetown Volunteer Fire Department is located at 7262 N. Boyd Road in Pinetown. For more information, call the fire department at 252-927-3400.