The Chester Fife & Drum Corps will hold a chicken BBQ and Jam session on Saturday, June 16 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Essex Vets Club in Centerbrook, with a goal far beyond just feeding and entertaining guests.

This year will mark the 150th anniversary for the Chester Fife & Drum Corps, which will hold a commemorative muster on Sept. 22 at the Chester Fair Grounds. The June 16 jam will raise awareness of—and funds for—the muster.

“It’s going towards helping us defer the cost of running the Chester Muster, because we have to pay vendors, we have to pay security, all kinds of different things,” said Drum Major Frenchy Cordeau. “So we’re trying to make sure once we pay all of our bills we aren’t in the red.”

That said, the corps is striving to make the event first and foremost fun.

“There’s going to be food, hanging out, and there’s going to be a jam session where people from many different corps will show up and play outside,” said Cordeau.

According to Cordeau, local groups expected to attend include the Westbrook Fife & Drum Corps, the Ancient Mariners, and the Sailing Masters of 1812 from Essex.

While many of those attending will be from the area, Cordeau said they’re hoping to pull from a larger crowd.

“Anybody in the drum corps community can come or any civilian can come and partake in the food,” said Cordeau.

The food will be made by members of the drum corps. Adams of Deep River has partnered with the corps to provide the chicken and other food items as well.

The event is open to the public. The suggested donation is $15 for adults and $6 for children under 12 years old. There will also be a 50/50 raffle provided by donations from local residents and businesses.

Public safety is the largest cost the corps anticipates running into when planning this year’s muster. The State Police has quoted a cost of $5,000 to $8,000 for the Chester Muster alone.

Tickets can be purchased at the Essex Vets Club, The Villager, and The Chester Package Store.

For more information, visit the Chester Fife and Drum Corps on Facebook or at chesterct.org/?s=fife. Donations may be made at gofundme.com/chestermuster2018.