Food has the power to bring people together. When it comes to the the Great Community Cookout in Menomonie, this couldn’t be more true. The cookout, now in its 14th year, will be 4-8pm on Thursday, Sept. 12, behind the Visitors Center in Menomonie. There will be great music by Converge Radio 99.9, as well as live performances by Histrionic Creature, Justin Jay Arnold, and Past & The Present. A whole slew of yummy food options also will be on hand, including Culver’s, the Menomonie Market Food Co-op, Dhimiters, Captain PJ’s BBQ, Island Vibe Food Truck, Sailer’s Food Market & Meat Processing, Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ, and Olson’s Ice Cream. Silver Spring Foods will provide condiments, including a variety of mustards, applewood horseradish, Thai chili sauce, and more. Many of these food vendors are first-timers at the cookout, including Dhimiters, Island Vibe Food Truck, and Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ, which is “new to Menomonie and new to this event,” according to the event’s Facebook page. Drinks will be available courtesy of Bill’s Distributing. Come one, come all to enjoy live music, lots of food, drinks, and games for the entire family. There will also be a neat raffle with all proceeds going toward Downtown Menomonie Inc. If there are any folks who want to volunteer for this food-filled, fun, and friendly event, there’s a sign-up available on the Great Community Cookout Facebook event page, where you can also learn more about the event. 

14th Annual Great Community Cookout • Behind the Menomonie Visitor Center, 342 E. Main St., Menomonie • Thursday, Sept. 12, 4-8pm • FREE • www.facebook.com/downtownmenomonie/ • (715) 235-2666