The Friends of the Eastern California Museum will host its annual deep-pit barbeque and party on Saturday, May 7, starting

Picnics and barbeques have always been part of Inyo Countys history, as shown in this photo from the early 20th Century. The Friends of the Eastern California Museum Annual Fundraising Barbeque at the Museum in Independence (155 N. Grant St.) on May 7, starting at 4 p.m., keeps the tradition alive. The cost is $12 for adults and $8 for kids and seniors. For more information, call 760-878-0258. Photo courtesy Eastern California Museum.

at 4 p.m., at the museum in Independence. The public is cordially invited to enjoy the afternoon of good food, good music and historic family fun.

The event will feature live music, a deep-pit barbeque beef dinner with all the trimmings, beverages, and Kathy White’s famous home made cookies. With any luck, there will be an ample supply of cookies so cookie fans can buy a dozen (or two) to take home and enjoy. A vegetarian meal option will also be available. A local band will provide music during the event.

The cost for the feast fun is $12 for adults and $8 for youngsters and seniors (beer and wine is extra). For the second year, local bakers will cook up Cake-a-palooza, featuring an array of home made cakes and cupcakes, and maybe even a pie or two, slices of which will be for sale for varying prices.

The annual barbeque is a fundraiser for the non-profit Friends of the Eastern California Museum, so additional donations are welcome and appreciated. The Friends group supports the Eastern California Museum through generous donations of time, money, ideas, and energy.

The impact the Friends have had on the Museum years is quite visible in the Museum. The Friends have paid for the creation and installation of the Museum’s last three major exhibits. After successful runs in the museum’s rotating exhibit space, the Norman Clyde exhibit and the Pioneering Women of Inyo County exhibit have become part of the Museum’s permanent exhibits.e Friends is particularly important, and greatly appreciated.”

In 2011, the Friends will be working on some major projects, including completion of the Jane Bright Memorial Rock Garden, providing some much-needed maintenance and upkeep at the historic Commander’s House in Independence, and working with Museum staff to reorganize and improve the Museum’s current permanent Manzanar Exhibit.

The Friends annual barbeque is open to the public and will be held on the grounds of the Eastern California Museum, 155 N. Grant St., three blocks west of the historic Inyo County Courthouse in Independence. For more information, call 760-878-0258 or 760-873-8583, or visit www.fecm33.org.