No one will be fooled on Friday, April 1, when the Advance Fire Department holds its Spring barbecuesale.

It’s the real thing.

The firefighters, their spouses, families and a lot of volunteers will prepare, cook and serve 3,000 pounds of pork, 250 pounds of beef and all the side dishes and desserts that go with a real Carolina barbecue dinner.

It takes 50 to 75 people five days to get ready to open the doors at Advance Fire House 2 on Old Fire Station Road. Signs will point the way from NC 801. The fundraiser which is held twice a year.

The goodies will be ready by 6 a.m. and sales will continue until sold out.

Fire Chief Rodney Miller said it is an “all hands” effort because the department still will answer fire calls and medical emergencies as they occur.

The chief added that the department would welcome help from people in the community.

“Lots of folks who volunteer for the barbecue sale have no other connection to the department,” Miller said. “We’re grateful for anyone who can spare even an hour or two. There’s lots of work.”

Help at the Old Fire Station is needed on Tuesday and Wednesday from 7-10 p.m. and all day on Thursday from 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

The sale day, Friday, is split into two shifts from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. and from 2 p.m. until closing. Volunteers can work as little or as much as they want, Miller said.

The department’s barbecues are its major fund raisers. The money is used for needed extras which are not included in the county funded budget.

One such “extra” was a ladder truck with a 70-foot tower that can reach the roof of any structure in the county.

Barbecue lovers paid for the ladder truck, not the taxpayers, Miller said.