Over 10-thousand people came out to the college campus for the annual event.
TRAVERSE CITY -- For the past 54 years, the Northwestern Michigan College barbeque is a local tradition that brings out thousands of people from around northern Michigan to the campus.
"I've been coming here since I was a little girl every since my dad went to the college," says Kristi Solberg whose attends the barbeque each year.
Organizers say its local residents like this that show up the home cooked food, kids games and even live entertainment who make it all possible every year.
"Within the first two hours of the barbeque we served almost four-thousand people this year...It's 500 plus volunteers every year making it happen. Olson's stores contributed all the food and they have for those 54 years," says NMC barbeque board president, Kevin Nelson.
Nelson says it's more than just an annual barbeque but instead a way to connect the college with the community.
"The community college, I underline the word community and the barbeque is one of the best aspects of how we connect with the community, getting the community here letting the community see what we have to offer in education programs," says Nelson.
Part of showcasing the college's education includes a special aspect of the annual barbeque.
"This year as it was last year, each meal ticket has a stub you fill out for a raffle that's going to be drawn at the end of the barbeque today and that's good for a two year scholarship at NMC, fully transferable for 10 years," says Nelson.
It's this opportunity that nelson says also showcases the importance that the college has to the area.
"Part of the gem of the Traverse City area and surrounding counties is in part of what NMC brings to this area and we like to see the community here to get to enjoy what we have to offer," says Nelson.
