The Town of Little Compton is going to be tripling down on its iconic summer rituals this coming Saturday, Aug. 4, with three separate events scheduled for different times on the same day.

Antiques festival, classic cars

Fresh off the United Congregational Church fair in mid-July, the town is rolling ahead, first, with its heralded antiques festival and classic auto show this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to be held on the grounds of the Little Compton Historical Society at 548 West Main Road (see separate story). 

The event attracts hundreds of dealers and collectors from all around New England.

Chicken BBQ

Next up, in the late afternoon on the Commons — for carnivores and others attracted to barbecue smoke and charcoaled chicken — there’s the celebrated Chicken Barbecue on Veteran’s Field, beginning at 5 p.m. 

It’s a fund-raiser for the Little Compton Village Improvement Society, founded in 1913 to sustain the Brownell House, which was given in trust to the society in 1915. The historic house anchors the Commons on the west.  

The improvement society is headed by Mikel Folcarelli, who serves on the group’s board and became its president six months ago. A designer by profession, he has spent summers in Little Compton since 1980, and moved to town permanently in 2014.

(During the day, while preparations for the barbecue are going on, Beth Ryan at the Brownell Library will be conducting a book sale.)

At 5 p.m. the first birds are slated to be pulled off the fire by grill-meister Scott Morrison. “We’ll be grilling until the chicken runs out,” said Mr. Folcarelli. “Take out” baskets will be available for those who want them, he said

The fire pit — built by local boy scouts under the guidance of Bob Harvey, who mobilized them into a work crew — will host the charcoal grilling of 200 half-chickens, mostly at the same time, lathered with sauce and served with all the fixings. 

The fire pit is to be located “south of the weeping beech tree on Veterans Field,” said Mr. Folcarelli.

The feast costs $15 (cash or check), and besides the half chicken (estimated at from 1.5 pounds to 1.75 pounds per half), includes potato salad, lemonade coleslaw, home-made baked beans (the Great Northern and Old Navy varieties), and watermelon

Unlike in some years past, there will be no ice cream vendors, no tractor pulls, bouncy houses for children, or dancing cops.  

There will, however, be music by the Little Compton Band starting at 6 p.m.

Seating will be available at tables and chairs in the area, and in the bleachers. Parking will be on Veteran’s Field.

Fireworks

Finally, at dusk, about 9 p.m., the fireworks show will begin, and will last for about 20 minutes.