Montgomery General Women's Board's Picnic and Bazaar a week away
90th annual event set for July 27 in Olney
The 90th annual Montgomery General Hospital Women' Board Picnic and Bazaar will be held next week, continuing a tradition that has been held the fourth Tuesday of July since the hospital was built.
The picnic will take place Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the old hospital grounds at Olney-Sandy Spring Road (Route 108) and Prince Phillip Drive.
"We really don't change things too much, because it works and people enjoy themselves," event co-chairwoman Joyce Saunderson said. "This is something that appeals to all ages."
The event began in 1920 as a sit-down supper at Sherwood High School. As the community grew, the event was changed to a picnic during the mid-1970s. Little has changed since that time.
The celebration will feature all the favorites, including 5,000 pounds of homemade fried chicken made from a top-secret recipe, fresh corn-on-the-cob, coleslaw, barbeque and hot dogs.
Raffle tickets will be available for purchase for such prizes as a handmade quilt made by The Thursday Quilters, a photograph by Robert Keating, a print of historic Olney by Olney artist Barbara Hale, and gift cards from Fletcher's Service Center and other local businesses.
Kiddieland will return with children's activities, including a new storyteller, face painting, games, prizes and inflatable games.
The popular tables of plants, jewelry, antiques and collectibles, local produce, stuffed animal, thousands of books and baked goods will be available.
Entertainment will continue throughout the event, featuring new acts and old favorites, organizers said.
"I think we have a variety of performers that will appeal to everybody," entertainment chairwoman Joan Murphy said.
Sandy Spring resident Delmas Wood will give a performance of Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Declaration of War" speech and will recognize the veterans of World War II at 6 p.m. He will arrive at the picnic grounds in character.
Other entertainment includes dance performances, Will Slade performing country and bluegrass, the Modeling Moppetts, Sharp Street Choir, Olney Concert Band, The Heart of Maryland Chorus and a visit from The Justice League.
The Women's Board raises funds to benefit Montgomery General Hospital and the board's Scholarship Fund through proceeds raised from the hospital gift shop and thrift shop and events such as the Picnic and Bazaar.
"It's great that Olney has such a long tradition in the picnic and it's even better that it helps the hospital take care of the community in ways it couldn't without the Women's Board," hospital President Peter Monge said.
The Women's Board is in the midst of fulfilling a five-year, $1 million pledge towards the capital campaign for the expansion of the hospital. In recent years, the board has fulfilled pledges of $1 million for the cardiovascular lab and $800,000 for the pediatric emergency department.
"Not only will folks have so much fun, but it is a golden opportunity to support the Women's Board of MGH whose only goal is to give back to the hospital that cares for all of us," Saunderson said.
The 90th annual Montgomery General Hospital Women's Bazaar Picnic and Bazaar will be held 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday on the old hospital grounds on Olney-Sandy Spring Road (Route 108) and Prince Philip Drive.