Otter Lake Boosters to host Charcoal Chicken Dinner at Otter Lake Day Use Park 41st annual event to take place July 17 at 11 a.m.

Posted 7/12/22

Otter Lake Boosters to host Charcoal Chicken Dinner at Otter Lake Day Use Park 41st annual event to take place July 17 at 11 a.m. By Joseph Back Many decades back, an earthen dam was placed across …

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Otter Lake Boosters to host Charcoal Chicken Dinner at Otter Lake Day Use Park 41st annual event to take place July 17 at 11 a.m.

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Otter Lake Boosters to host Charcoal Chicken Dinner at Otter Lake Day Use Park 41st annual event to take place July 17 at 11 a.m.

By Joseph Back

Many decades back, an earthen dam was placed across the north outlet of Otter Creek in Colburn township. Some 50 years or so later, the flooded Otter Creek Valley is a fisherman's paradise, and the Otter Lake Booster's Club has been doing its part to keep it that way. From the Life Vest Kiosk to fish aerators and an annual free youth ice fishing contest and beyond, the Otter Lake Boosters are hard at work.

Come July 17, the 41st annual Charcoal Chicken fundraising dinner with music by Red Higgins and the Freedom Train, will seek to raise money to continue that legacy.

“We’ll have music with Red Higgins and his band The Freedom Train,” organization president Dan Liske said of the Sunday event. With a 1/2 chicken costing $12, a 1/4 chicken costing $10, with hot dog options as well for $3 and $6 (the latter a meal), proceeds from Sunday’s event go to help pay for the lake’s aerators, which keep the gills alive over winter to swim another day.

“The aerators have taken Otter from being a dead fish lake in spring to world-class fish – ing," Liske said, saying the fish up at Otter were "spunky" and "put up a good fight." As to the Sunday fundraiser, the Club is giving away $5,000, with just 500 tickets sold and available at local bait stores. With two $500 priz- es, two $250 prizes, five $1200, 10 prizes for $100, and 31 of $50 each, the winnings should be spread around and odds relatively good to score a prize. Ticket supplies were selling out fast as of Monday morning, with just over 50 left for a chance to win.

As to the music, Liske said that Higgins was a Nashville artist and sang many classics in addition to his own songs.

"He sings Elvis and Johnny Cash," Liske said of what dinner goers can expect Sunday July 17 up at the Otter Lake Day Use Park. Dinner, games, and cash drawings start at 11 a.m., with music beginning at 11:30. Come on up and have a good time! The Otter Lake Boosters and fish they help support with aerators, will thank you.