SOUTH POINT — By 4 p.m. Thursday the aroma of burgers on the grill sizzled throughout the South Point Community Park.

As in years past, at the helm was Tim Stormes, a supervisor at Quality Health Care and cook for the annual community picnic, a tradition with the South Point company.

The menu was succinct and to the point.

“Hamburgers, hot dogs and chips. We’re making it simple this time,” Stormes said. “That and a good time.”

Stormes had his work cut out for him because by the time the evening picnic was over, he had grilled close to 800 hamburgers and hot dogs.

Across the park at the gazebo, Stormes’ boss and owner/operator of Quality Health Care was Joe Freeman, setting up amps and instruments. It was Freeman’s bluegrass band that was supplying the entertainment for the event.

And it was Freeman’s music that brought out Louise Boyd from South Point that afternoon. This was the first time Boyd had attended the picnic and was there all because of her appreciation of her host for the day.

“I listen to Freeman’s program every Sunday morning on WSAZ,” Boyd said. “I like gospel and bluegrass.”

Stormes said the entertainment was the reason for many to come out.

“Joe’s band, it has gathered a crowd. It has a pretty good following,” Stormes said.

However for Gilberta Ferguson of Burlington it was a little bit of everything dished up at the picnic that has kept her coming back year after year.

“I like the music, the fellowship and being with friends,” she said.