NMC Barbecue - May 20, 2018

The NMC Barbecue is one of northern Michigan's most popular and enduring traditions. The annual event brings thousands of people to NMC's main campus for an old-fashioned picnic and a chance to see their community college, with a grand total of 7,678 people attending the 61th annual NMC Barbecue or receiving home-delivered picnic meals in 2016.

The late Gerald W. Oleson and his wife Frances, founders of Oleson’s Food Stores in Traverse City, started the annual fundraiser picnic in 1956. Oleson’s Food Stores continue to donate the food, and hundreds of volunteers turn out to make the event happen.

When is the Barbecue?

The Barbecue is always on the Sunday before Memorial Day Weekend — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. To plan ahead for future NMC Barbecues, save these dates on your calendar:

• Sunday, May 20, 2018
• Sunday, May 19, 2019
• Sunday, May 17, 2020

2017 Barbecue Photo Gallery »

Barbecue Videos »

Zero waste event

In 2010, the Barbecue Board made a commitment to become a zero-waste event through extensive use of recycling and composting. More than 90 percent of the residuals from the 2011 Barbecue were kept out of a landfill, and by the 2014 Barbecue, that figure had increased to more than 99 percent. The Barbecue thanks the dozens of volunteers who helped guests properly dispose of their materials at recycling/composting stations around campus, and partners American Waste (recycling, equipment), Food for Thought (composting) and Rentals Unlimited (equipment).

2011

Material	Pounds	Percent of total
Cardboard Compost Plastic/Can Recycle Grease Rendering Coffee Grounds Trash Total	2,460 1,760 320 216 40 520 5,316	46.3% 33.1% 6% 4.1% 0.8% 9.8% 100%

2014

Material	Pounds	Percent of total
Cardboard Compost Plastic/Can Recycle Grease Coffee Grounds Animal Feed Trash Total	1,120 7,820 1,600 60 36 120 43 10,799	10% 72% 15% 0.6% 0.3% 1% 0.4% 100%