State Representative Bryan Terry, MD and State Senator Jim Tracy are set to host a free barbecue dinner on October 20 entitled "Pigskins and Politics" at the Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department. While the event is free and open to the public, the legislators are encouraging attendees to provide a donation with all proceeds going to the volunteer fire departments in District 48.

The volunteer fire departments in Lascassas and Kittrell survive off of donations and their monthly breakfast or dinner fundraisers. Kittrell hosts a country ham breakfast, while Lascassas hosts a fish fry. The Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department fish fry recently made the news when several patrons became ill after the September fish fry. With the fire department still investigating the cause, they cancelled their October fish fry which, obviously, has an impact on their fundraising.

"Bryan and I, both, have been coming out to these events for years. They have great food and are great people. It's an unfortunate situation where some people got sick, but they will bounce back. I have confidence in the community," said Senator Tracy. Echoing those sentiments, Rep. Terry said, "It was a rare occurrence that doesn't reflect all the positives that the fire department does for the community. When they have their next fish fry, I expect the community to come out in support of the fire department."

Aside from being a fundraiser for the fire department, the fish fry is a monthly event where folks from Lascassas, Milton, Kittrell, Murfreesboro and beyond are able to enjoy dinner and the company of their neighbors. With the absence of the fish fry in October, Sen. Tracy and Rep. Terry said that hoped the community can come together for their event to help get out the vote and raise money for the fire departments.

"I talked with Bryan back in August about having a 'Get out the Vote' event in Lascassas during early voting. When the fish fry got cancelled, Rep. Terry suggested we make it a fundraiser for the fire departments. I agreed. It's a great idea to help them out," explained Tracy. Agreeing, Rep. Terry said, "The volunteer fire fighters do so much for our community, I saw this as an opportunity to give back in their time of need. I really hope the community will come out and support a worthy cause. Knowing the district, I expect that they will."

"Pigskins and Politics" will be held Thursday, October 20 from 5:30-800 pm at the Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department at 6351 Lascassas Pike. The barbecue will be from Slick Pig and Rick's barbecue, and patrons are encouraged to wear something to support their favorite football team.