Chickens take note – you don’t want to be anywhere near the Plaza on Flag Day. On Sunday, the Native Sons of the Golden West (and the Daughters, too) rolled into the square in the early morning hours prepared to barbeque 700 half chickens, along with case after case of hotdogs, during their annual Flag Day celebration.
The event recalls the first raising of the California Bear flag in 1846 and begins with a ceremony at the Bear Flag Monument followed by the Bear Flag Revolt Re-enactment led by local historian George Webber and close to 40 costumed performers.
The performance is a prelude to the aforementioned chicken, barbequed to perfection by the NSGW and accompanied by 63 types of beer from 27 different microbrewers.
Local favorites The Whiskey Thieves entertained the crowd as they danced on the grass or lazed about on blankets while toddlers romped nearby and teenagers did their best to look cool.
According to Dean Zellers, past president of the NSGW, this year’s event was one of their most successful. “We’ve changed up the music, which really helped us draw a nice crowd,” said Zellers.
The BBQ helps the NSGW raise funds for their ongoing support of Sonoma youth sports, historical preservation and cleft palate reconstruction, a project for which the group has raised close to $3.5 million over the past 50 years.
“This has been one of our most successful Flag Day celebrations,” said current NSGW president Michael Dunevent. “As always, we have the city of Sonoma to thank for supporting us all these years. This event wouldn’t be possible without them.”
Mayor Ken Brown summed up the feelings of many, saying, “There’s nothing better than listening to a great local band in the Plaza at the Native Sons’ chicken barbeque on a gorgeous summer day.”
Watch for the NSGW’s next event to be held on July 4th at Arnold Field. The first ever, one-of-a-kind affair dubbed, “Red, Bright and Brew BBQ,” will raise funds for lights at Arnold Field with free admission to the field and hamburgers, hot dogs, wine, microbrews and sodas all for sale. Musical entertainment will be provided by The Whiskey Thieves. The public is invited to come when the gates open at 5 p.m. and stay until the fireworks are over.
For more information, call or email Dean Zellers of the NSGW at 707.996.5282 or dzellers@sbcglobal.net.
