63rd annual Walt Kammann sausage fry, a sizzling success

The sausage fry is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for Yuma Rotary Club

YUMA, Ariz. ( KYMA, KECY-TV ) - For the 63rd year, the Yuma Rotary Club held its annual Walt Kammann sausage fry, one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the charitable organization.

"All the monies raised from this go to the Yuma Rotary Club and all the great events that we put on and sponsor through the yuma rotary club like youth scholarships, grants, benefits and things like that, that we do," Jeff Kammann, Rotary member and grandson of Walt Kammann said.

One ton of sausages were gilled and sold during the Friday evening event.

"We served close to 3500 meals, that's better than last year," Kammann said. "We'll probably net about $10,000 to $12,000."

Kamman says the event started in 1958 with his grandfather Walt Kammann.

"It was a family event and kind of started by the Yuma Rotary also, kind of an eating contest as to who had the best meal" Kammann said. "My grandfather's sausage recipe won like two years in a row. Members of the rorary came up to him and said we're tired of losing to you Walt, let's just make an annual event out of this. So, it became the Walt Kammann sausage fry and it got bigger and bigger over the years."

Walt's son Bobby, says his father's recipe has continued for decades without any changes.

"Olsen's Market in Ajo actually makes it for us," Bobby said. "They've had the recipe locally here for many many years. My dad gave it to Don Olsen and he made it here in his local markets until they sold those markets and he started making in his market in Ajo. We give them the order ahead of time and they mix it up."

Bobby says Don's widow continues to make the sausage for them and she has the recipe, the right recipe Bobby says with a smile.

"They know how to make it so we keep ordering from them," Bobby said.