By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
A traditional Yukon community feast will return in a couple weeks – at a familiar time and place.
The 66th Annual Ground Hog Dinner will be devoured Saturday, Jan. 28 inside Yukon’s First United Methodist Church at Fourth and Elm. Meals will be served “family style” from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Christian Life Center.
“We’re glad to be back at our regular calendar time on the Saturday before Ground Hog Day (Feb. 2),” said Russell Kline, event coordinator for the Methodist Men’s group.
“Last year, we moved the dinner to March because there had been a spike in COVID-19 cases in January. That change was made due to circumstances – and we learned a lesson.”
Yukon’s United Methodist Men saw attendance drop at the 2022 Ground Hog Dinner, which was presented around spring break activities after a six-week postponement.
“Last March was loaded with community events and we had less than 1,000 people at our dinner,” Kline said.
Typically, attendance at Yukon’s epic Ground Hog feed is between 1,250-1,500.
“Last year was only the second time we had to change the date until after Ground Hog Day,” Kline explained. “We also had to postpone it one year when a massive ice storm knocked out power across the community. We didn’t have electricity at the church.”
Yukon’s “all-you-can-eat” Ground Hog Dinner menu will be the same as it’s been since the event’s inception: Czech-style sauerkraut and ribs, new potatoes, sausage patties, biscuits, gravy, and apple butter; with coffee, tea and water to drink.
Yukon’s Kids First children will return this time to sell desserts for $1 and soft drinks for 50 cents.
PROCEEDS SUPPORT MISSIONS, OUTREACH
Proceeds from Yukon’s 66th Annual Ground Hog Dinner will support local and worldwide missions and outreach.
Advance tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Adult tickets are $15 at the door.
To help with seating, groups of six or more diners are asked to call in advance with an estimated arrival time.
“We’re concerned about this latest COVID variant, but still want people to be there Jan. 28. Our visitors and volunteers are invited to wear a mask if they want.”
For tickets or more information, call the FUMC Yukon office at (405) 354-8858 or Kline at (405) 740-3351.
Read more in an upcoming edition about the estimated 125 volunteers who present Yukon’s annual Ground Hog Dinner – and the programs this community event supports.
