Lesslie Fire Department smoke means it’s barbecue time again

No, the Lesslie Volunteer Fire Department outside Rock Hill is not on fire. The smoke coming from the building is real, though.

Because it is barbecue time.

The department is holding its 60th annual fundraiser barbecue and bake sale Friday and Saturday. All the money at York County’s largest department, staffed solely by volunteers, is used for firefighting equipment.

“We depend on this event to be able to help people,” said lifelong Lesslie VFD member John Boyd.

The event typically attracts thousands of people and is York County’s largest and oldest continuous barbecue event. The rear of the main station is a concrete block building built just to hold the massive cookers used each year.

Lesslie is located southeast of Rock Hill. Its fire district serves more than 20,000 people and stretches from the city limits to the Catawba River on the east and Chester County to the south.

The volunteers are cooking 3,000 pounds of pork this week to feed the hungry and raise money. Many of the firefighters took the week off from regular jobs to help.

The barbecue is Friday and Saturday at the main station, 3191 Lesslie Highway. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. until sold out on Saturday.

Plates are $8. Sandwiches are $4. Delivery is available for orders of 10 plates or more. Cash and checks accepted. No debit or credit cards.

For information or to pre-order call the station at 802-324-0828.

This story was originally published January 29, 2018 at 4:11 PM with the headline "Lesslie Fire Department smoke means it’s barbecue time again."