Ribeye steak sandwiches are served up in this September 2001 photo. The Cattlemen and Cattlewomen Associations will celebrate their 25th year serving ribeye steak sandwiches for their annual fundraiser cookout on Friday, Aug. 30, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 31, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

A tradition 25 years in the making will get a tasty celebration later this month, when the Cullman County Cattlemen and Cattlewomen’s Associations host their biannual steak sandwich cookout, a yearly way to engage the public while reminding people of the importance of the beef business locally.

As in recent years, this month’s cookout will take over the parking lot near the Walmart on Olive Street, serving up ribeye steak sandwiches near the AMC Theater. The event will be held over two days, staking out a spot at the Marktplatz shopping center on August 30 and 31.

The Cattlemen’s Association estimates that it’s served more than 220,000 sandwiches since starting the local event back in 1994, when it was then hosted at the North Cullman shopping center. Labor Day weekend, as swell as Memorial Day, are the sweet spots each year when the association fires up the grill, and sandwiches are still just a $7 donation per item.

The association says it’s happy to accommodate large orders, and, in addition to stopping by, you can order as many sandwiches, drinks, and chips as you want in advance by calling Edwin Calvert at 256-339-9869 (before 9 p.m.) beginning Aug. 29.