Food, fellowship and field trials at Albertson Fox Hunt
By Steve Herring
Published in News on January 25, 2015 1:50 AM
ALBERTSON -- It has been nearly 70 years since a small group of people first got together in this rural Duplin County community to hold a fox hunt and meal to celebrate the George Washington's birthday.
Dog trials replaced the actual hunt about 30 years ago, but not the food and fellowship.
The annual Washington's Day Fox Hunt and Dog Trials will be held Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Albertson Ruritan Community Building on N.C. 111 South.
Sponsored by Albertson Ruritan Club, the proceeds are shared by the club, the Albertson Volunteer Department and the Albertson Recreation Center.
Last year, the event netted $16,000.
The day gets off to an early start with a breakfast of eggs, grits, sausage and homemade biscuits served from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. The cost is $5.
A memorial service starts 7 a.m. remembering people in the community who have passed away, and who normally attend the fox hunt every year.
A community pastor will conduct brief service.
Barbecued chicken, pork and fish stew will be sold from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $7, eat-in or take-out.
Raffle tickets for a chance to win a Browning shotgun or cash are being sold and cost $5 each.
The drawing will be held at the end of field trials and trophy presentations around 2 p.m., Ruritan Willie Rouse said.
Rouse will have tickets as well as members of the fire department.
Last year 237 dogs were registered. The dogs are judged on sped and drive.
To register a dog call 252-568-4703.
The event is held rain or shine.
"The only time we have ever had to postpone it was a snow in 1987," Rouse said. "I pray for good weather. A lot of work goes into this thing. There is a lot of organizing and a lot of volunteers. We could not put it on without the good-natured people down there who volunteer. We pretty much have the same volunteers each year. We do get some new ones.
"The fire department does the cooking the day of the event. They cook the pigs and the chickens. That is a big deal. Braxton (Grady) and I cook the fish stew. Braxton starting helping me about 1985. I started cooking fish stew about 1964 (for the event). I joined Ruritan in 1963."