Skip Pohtilla continues to be amazed at how things tend to fall in place this time of year.

With so many hands involved in pulling off an event the scale of the North Whidbey Community Harvest, one might expect a little panic to set in by mid November.

But not so.

“Things are starting to come together,” Pohtilla said.

Other than having to line up some additional volunteers for cleanup, Pohtilla and other organizers with the North Whidbey Community Harvest have the event running like a well-oiled machine in its 15th year.

The task on Thanksgiving Day will be preparing and serving a free holiday meal to roughly 3,000 people at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge with careful attention paid to the dining experience.

The event’s founder, the late Keith Bartlett, wanted the event to be special with dinner eaten on linen tablecloths and guests using formal dishes, glassware and utensils.

“Keith kind of summed it up by saying, ‘I don’t care if you arrive in a Rolls Royce or you walk through the door. All are welcome and we want you to have a good Thanksgiving meal,’” said Pohtilla, the event’s president.

The meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 26 with Scott Fraser, owner and chef of Frasers Gourmet Hideway, in the kitchen directing preparation of the menu.

Outside, starting early in the morning, 165 turkeys and 800 pounds of ham will be prepared. About 90 of the turkeys will be deep fried, while the rest will be smoked.

The menu will include mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, yams and salads. Desserts will be a choice of apple, pecan and pumpkin pies.

The event costs about $18,000 annually to put on with donations from local business and community members making it possible — along with the efforts of about 350-400 volunteers.

“Our community is always very generous,” Pohtilla said. “We can’t put it on without the generosity of the businesses, organizations and individuals of Oak Harbor.”

Donation jars are set up inside the Elks dining room for those who wish to contribute.

“It’s a free meal,” Pohtilla said. “Donations are accepted but not required. Our primary objective is for everyone to have a good Thanksgiving meal and an enjoyable time.”

For those who can’t make it in person, meals will be delivered, courtesy of the Whidbey Cruzers automobile club.

To request a meal delivery or to volunteer to help at the event, call 360-240-0175.