Gastonia summer cookout is ‘a family vibe’ and thank you note to the community
Cookouts are a symbol of the arrival of summer, but for Gastonia small business owners Jeanene Melvin and Ashley Strother, they are a show of appreciation.
Melvin, 37, and her business partner, Strother, 32, own a rental corporation called J and A Rental LLP, along with other businesses in the area.
They are hosting the second annual Blackout Cookout on Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Rotary Centennial Pavilion, 111 N. South St., Gastonia.
The free event is a way to thank Gastonia residents for supporting small businesses in the area.
“We wanted to do a cookout, have a family vibe, lay back, just relax, and enjoy everybody,” Melvin told The Charlotte Observer.
In 2022, they hosted a smaller giveaway event in Gastonia with free clothes, free hair services and food provided. However, the turnout was lackluster, Melvin said.
So, the pair decided they needed to go bigger for 2023 and 2024. They scaled up the event, added more vendors and hosted the cookout at the Rotary Centennial Pavilion for more space. They initially anticipated around 100 guests, but the event brought in nearly 300 attendees, said Melvin.
The large turnout made them come back for more this year.
“We know how a lot of people don’t have money all the time, and we just want to be able to see that joy of being able to come out and just have a good time,” said Melvin about the premise of the event.
For young guests, the event features a bounce house and a play area with games, and the Gaston County Library will offer the opportunity for parents to sign their children up for summer reading programs.
For adults, DJ Supreme will provide entertainment, along with performances by Christian rap artist MTS TJ and hip-hop artist ACE.
‘Feel unity’ of Gastonia
Vendors will also provide samples and services.
No cookout is complete without good food. The organizers will have local Gastonia food trucks Turkey Hustlerz and Lawanda’s Concessions providing free food, said Melvin. The trucks will serve hot dogs, turkey wings, and sides at no cost.
“We thought it would be easier to do food trucks, so we’re still giving back to the community and giving that food truck exposure,” she said.
“I just want to feel the unity of the community. We’re having any business owner, it doesn’t matter the color, shape, or size. We just want all positive vibes and just getting the community to see what’s out here.
Melvin and Strother say they will continue to host cookouts and events because they are grateful for the smiles they receive.
“Just seeing the smiles and how many people actually enjoyed the event last year made us wanna come harder the next year and just keep giving back to the community.”
“Each one, teach one,” said Strother about helping businesses in Gastonia. She says it’s her duty to “reach back” and help out others.
“If I’m standing for the community, why not put my money into the community instead of outsourcing it from other places,” she said.