The annual Barbecue on the Green at Sturdivant Hall has finally arrived.

Sturdivant Hall board member Sandy Greene said tickets for the event were nearly sold out as of Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s just an event that everyone looks forward to coming to each year,” Greene said. “So many people come. You see people there that you haven’t seen in a while, and the food is good and the atmosphere is good.”

With last year’s event drawing nearly 500 people, members of the board believe this might be the largest attendance yet.

The annual event is the largest fundraiser of the year for Sturdivant, and Greene said it’s vital for the upkeep of the home.

“It’s [for] the upkeep of Sturdivant,” Greene said. “It’s quite expensive to keep a grand old house like that up and looking beautiful. We have repairs from time to time … and we have to maintain the grounds and the rose garden.”

The barbecue is being catered by Golden Ranch Barbecue and will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour and dinner to follow at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Sturdivant Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, Swift Drugs, Butler-Truax Jewelers or any of the Sturdivant Hall board members. No tickets will be sold at the door. Greene said everyone must bring their ticket with them to the barbecue and no one will be able to carry out a plate unless they have a ticket for someone that was unable to attend.