A Wabash County tradition continues... 91st Orio Chowder set for Saturday
(
http://www.tristate-media.com/drr/news/local_news/article_a90d6c92-b513-1...)
Since 1920, the annual Orio Chowder has provided a friendly atmosphere for
families and friends to get together in support of the Presbyterian Church
cemetery. Now in its 91st year, the chowder will once again be steaming
while the crowd, once again, enjoys on Saturday, Sept. 4.
Chowder carry-outs will start at 8 a.m. at the chowder's semi-permanent
location near the Wabash Presbyterian Church in Orio. Serving of ice cream and
pop also starts at 8 a.m., and the hamburger stand will open at 10,
serving burgers, fries, corn dogs, fish, drinks, ice cream and desserts.
The chowder line officially starts at 11 a.m.
Members of the public are invited to peruse the country store during this
year's Orio Chowder, and enjoy entertainment by local bluegrass band Bales
of Hay. They begin playing at 1 p.m.
The 91st annual chowder will also feature a softball tournament, volleyball
tournament (for details, contact Amy Adams, 262-3181), and a Horseshoe and
Washer Tournament. For horseshoe tourney information, call Scott Hipsher,
262-1006. For washer tourney details, call Ryan Hipsher, 240-0038.
Information advertising Wabash Presbyterian Church's 175th year in 1997
indicates the Orio Chowder's beginning was brought about by "determined ladies
in the community who saw the need for an organization to provide funds to
maintain the (church) cemetery."
Back then, cookers used only one or two 50-gallon kettles, selling the
product for 5 or 10 cents per serving. Although volume has increased (cookers
make over 1,000 gallons of chowder now), the ingredients have remained much
the same, with the exception of "macaroni and rice that the old timers used
when the vegetables were scarce" one event organizer stated.
In keeping with tradition, proceeds both from chowder and the country store
still help fund cemetery maintenance projects.
There's another part now, though. A portion of the proceeds traditionally
helps fund mission projects as well.