The lottery, like the other activities and programs listed in the quote, is run by Mr. Summers. With no children and a wife who sounds unpleasant to be around, he has time to spare, despite not being a retiree. He is therefore the person in the community who takes responsibility for organizing various community events. I would argue that the purpose of grouping the lottery with these other events is to paint a more well-rounded picture of who Mr. Summers is.

Square dances, teen clubs, and a Halloween program all sound like fun events that would have little else in common with the macabre tradition of the lottery. Mr. Summers retains the same jovial ambience that he would show at any of these events, waving and announcing that he is a “little late today, folks.”

As the man who facilitates the lottery, he is a central character in this dark tale, and grouping this event with his other activities paints a picture of him as a true stalwart of the community, rather than a character associated only with the lottery and murder.

Mr. Summers is said to be very good at adhering to the changing traditions associated with the lottery, which tells us that he is probably good at organizing the dances, teen clubs and Halloween programs as well. In a nutshell, he is a community-minded man who fills an otherwise empty life by taking charge of community events, from lotteries to Halloween programs and everything in between. Having the lottery grouped together with other events helps the reader understand Mr. Summers's role in the community.