The Birsay Fall Supper

Information Courtesy Erin Jones

The Birsay Fowl Supper began many years ago by the Women’s Association to raise money for the Birsay United Church. Two roasted chickens, three pies and four dozen buns were donated by each member of the WA for the supper. Pickles, cream, butter and salads came along if they could be spared. In 1950, the prices were as follows: adults $0.75, students $0.50, children six to ten years of age $0.25, and preschool free of charge.

The supper was held in the church basement until 1979. In the early years, water had to be hauled in and, of course, all the dishes had to be washed, dried, and put away by hand. Due to the limited space downstairs, different meal sittings were required. Many waited upstairs in the sanctuary until their number was called. Afterwards, everyone collected in the sanctuary once again, this time to listen to a program put on by the church choir.

In 1981, the local Birsay Ladies Auxillary took over the organizing of the fowl supper and moved the event to the Birsay Hall where it has continued to this day. Paper plates are now used and money raised from the supper is split equally between the Community Club and the United Church. Three to four ladies from the community volunteer each year to convene the supper; that is, they organize food donations, arrange workers, as well as set up and clean up on the day of the event.

Generally, twelve 20 lb turkeys (240 lbs total), 150 lbs potatoes, 60 lbs carrots, 90 lbs turnip, 20 lbs coleslaw, 24 jellied salads, 20 dozen buns 24 apple pies and 36 pumpkin pies are cooked by volunteers. Most often everything except the turkeys and buns are donated. Twenty women, ten men, and eight youth work in two different shifts running through out the three hours the meal is served. The cost for 2006 was $8.00 for adults, $4.00 for children aged 5 to 12, and preschool free.

Although the fowl supper has changed through out the years, the infamous pie booth remains the same. Whether it was at the church or is in the hall, pumpkin and apple pies are offered to customers from a separate booth. And as the saying goes, “you know you are getting old when you are asked to work in the pie booth.”

The Birsay Fowl Supper has survived through the years due to the hard work of community volunteers and the continued support of those who attend year after year.