On Election Day for about the last 35 years, a tradition happens at Schuylkill Hose Co. No. 2 in Schuylkill Haven.
It’s a tradition that’s carried out in several locations across Schuylkill County: a pork-and-sauerkraut dinner.
Volunteers at the fire company in Schuylkill Haven served up about 200 meals during lunch and dinner on Tuesday.
Trent Zulick, the Treasurer at Schuylkill Hose Co. No. 2, is in charge of the kitchen at the fire company on Election Day. He’s actually been heading up the kitchen operation on Election Day for the last 25 years.
But he says he doesn’t really know why people traditionally eat pork and sauerkraut on the same day they vote.
“When we started it, it just went off,” Zulick says when asked why the fire company continues this tradition.
He adds that the fire company barely has to do any advertising prior to Election Day to get people to turn out for the traditional meal.
Pork and sauerkraut is traditionally served on New Year’s Day. The delicious combination – often eaten with mashed potatoes – is thought to bring good luck. Here, at least, the meal is traditionally served on Election Day, too.
Regardless of why it’s served in Schuylkill County on Election Day, Zulick says, “It’s a really good fundraiser for us.”
Patrons actually had a choice between pork and sauerkraut served atop mashed potatoes or a slice of meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy. Some folks decided to eat in the fire company’s dining hall and others ordered meals to take home.
Zulick says he went through about 60 pounds of pork and about 40 pounds of beef for the meatloaf.
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