EVANS CITY — Almost 600 grilled half-chickens were sold Saturday at the annual EDCO Park Chicken Barbecue.

“We sold 599,” said Cindy Caldwell, EDCO Park and Pool Authority board member. “We dropped one on the ground.”

The event raised about $3,500, which will go to maintenance and upkeep at the swimming pool and park.

She said the Evans City Leo Club, which is the youth branch of the Lion's Club, as well as several members of the pool committee on Saturday morning husked 650 ears of corn.

“It was done in an hour,” Caldwell said of the mass shucking. “There must have been about 14 people peeling corn.”

She said the half-chickens were grilled by EDCO board member John Rogers, plus Eric Carlin, Rich Szwaczkowski and Reed Caldwell.

“They are the seasoned professionals,” Cindy Caldwell said. “They've done chicken barbecues for the Boy Scouts, so I think that's why it went so smoothly.”

She said a man and his son traveling through Evans City from the Clarion area stopped just after the event opened at 11:30 a.m. to buy two dinners.

Caldwell noticed the duo again near the 6 p.m. closing. “They said it was the best darn chicken they ever had, and that they were praying we were still open,” Caldwell said. “They bought more chicken, and said they would be back next year.”

Caldwell said neither the chicken barbecue nor any EDCO events and fundraisers would be possible if not for the scores of volunteers.

“They relentlessly give their time to help keep the park and pool afloat,” Caldwell said. “I really do appreciate it.”