CADIZ — Hundreds of local Republicans are expected to attend this year’s ox roast in Cadiz.

The Harrison County Republican Party has announced the fundraiser event that will begin at 5:15 p.m. Oct. 17 in the Commercial Building of the Harrison County Fairgrounds, 550 Grant St. in Cadiz. A steak dinner will follow at around 6:30 p.m. After the dinner, a special guest, coach Dave Daubenmire, will serve as the keynote speaker.

Chuck Harrah, Harrison County Republican Party executive committee member, said the event is one of the party’s largest fundraisers and has been around since the early 1900s. Although no oxen will be roasted at the dinner, the event has retained the name throughout the years simply as tradition.

“The ox is a bovine, but has been referred to as beef at different intervals over the years, whereas a cow has always been referred to as a beef,” Harrah said.

Each guest will be provided a steak dinner, potatoes, green beans and dessert.

Harrah said committee members are honored and looking forward to the event’s keynote speaker. Daubenmire was a high school football coach for more than 30 years until he was sued for praying with his players by the American Civil Liberties Union in the late 1990s. Following a lengthy court battle, the matter eventually was settled and Daubenmire formed his ministry, “Pass The Salt,” with the mission to unite people.

“Dave Daubenmire is a great example of a man on a mission to be the voice for me and millions of others that comprise the silent majority of the United States of America, by using his faith-based ministry to empower his audience,” Harrah said.

Harrah said that Daubenmire has inspired many people, including himself.

“Not only does he talk the talk, but he also walks the walk. He is a great inspiration to myself and many others. He is the voice of reason; he is the guy you would want to be in the foxhole with when things are at the worst,” he said.

Harrah said Daubenmire is a dynamic speaker, specializing in the Constitution, patriotism, Christian values and cataclysmic events that are occurring on a global scale.

“A great man to be looked up to and a genuine hero to anybody that really knows him,” Harrah said of Daubenmire. “That’s why it is so fitting and symbolic that with all the turmoil and calamity that is occurring, at almost epic proportions on a global scale, that coach Dave’s message is more important than ever before and epitomizes what is good and decent about this great nation.”

There are 300 tickets available, and event organizers hope to sell them all.

The event will include a silent auction, 50-50 drawing and chance drawings. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from any central or executive committee member. For information, call Harrah at (740) 491-0144 or (740) 942-3934 or visit www.harrcogop.com.