Fireman’s Festival is a cool time on a hot summer day

Fireman’s Festival is a cool time on a hot summer day
File

Plenty of food, fun and music will highlight the annual East Holmes Fireman’s Festival that will take place at Berlin Elementary on Saturday, July 20. The event is a thanks to the community from the department and has taken on both a reunion and festival atmosphere.

                        

The annual East Holmes Fire & EMS Fireman’s Festival will take place at Berlin Elementary on Saturday, July 20 from 4 p.m. to dusk, and a series of events will come one after another, sometimes right on top of each other.

According to East Holmes assistant chief John Schlabach, keeping things fresh and new is an important part of a festival that spawned off of the old Berlin Pioneer Days.

“We always like to try to bring in some different and unique events,” Schlabach said. “For a long time we went with the water games, but last year we had a couple of demonstrations set up to show how a fire grows and how we would respond.”

This year’s event should be a real eye-opener. The team will use the jaws of life to cut apart an automobile in an extrication simulation.

It’s something unbelievable to watch,” Schlabach said of the technique used to extricate people who have been pinned in their cars in an accident. “What we want to do is show people some of the rescue techniques we are capable of performing, and this one is always a big draw.”

Schlabach said one of the most important roles this event plays is that the department is able to convey how the community’s investment in their department plays a role in their life-saving and rescue techniques. He also said it is a way for the department to thank the community.

“This really does give us a chance to interact with the people of the community and to thank them for supporting us,” Schlabach said. “It also gives us a chance to show them new equipment we have purchased, which this event is a big part of.”

In addition the department continues to give back with its funds. This past year during the May fish fry, they donated half of the proceeds back to a local family facing medical bills.

“Oftentimes we try to give back to a family in need of financial aid to whom we responded to a call during the year,” Schlabach said.

The entertainment slate on the big stage on the south side of the school building will feature some musicians from out of state. From 4-6 p.m. The Miller Brothers, out of Indiana, will perform. From 6:30-8 p.m. The Brandenberger Family, an Amish family from Shipshewana, Indiana, will grace the stage. They will make way for the nightcap when the Allen Fisher Band out of Pennsylvania will take over the main stage from 8-9:30 p.m.

“It is an extremely talented line-up,” Schlabach said.

There also will be a gun raffle where those who purchase tickets will have a chance to win one of 13 rifles and hand guns. That giveaway will take place around 9:30 p.m., and patrons may purchase tickets there or buy them now from any of the East Holmes Fire and EMS members. The winner does not have to be present to win.

“We have some really beautiful guns to give away,” Schlabach said. “Some people are going to walk away with some great prizes.”

At 6 p.m. the annual quilt auction will take place on the main stage. As always the quilt is handmade by local women.

“Each year we have a group of probably 30 area women come into the firehouse and assemble a quilt for our auction,” Schlabach said. “A local woman makes the pieces beforehand, and for two solid days the women come in and take shifts to get the quilt completed. That alone is almost worth watching because they are so talented and they have a great time.”

In addition to the quilt, there will be several other items up for auction. Chances are good the East Holmes Fire and EMS team will once again auction off a chance to take a ride on the 200-foot firetruck ladder that shoots up into the sky to hover those who aren’t afraid heights over Berlin.

Schlabach said there also will be an expanded game area for the kids, meaning more bounce houses and rides like the bull ride and the wall-climbing tower, plus games for little kids too.

“There is a little bit of something for the whole family, and it is very much like a big reunion and a celebration of our community and our department,” Schlabach said. “We just want people to realize how much we appreciate them and the support they give us.”

Even if music, festivities and hanging around in a large sea of people isn’t your thing, there is always a big drawing card with the food.

With favorites like Byler’s BBQ, Keating’s Concession and Texas Sno-Cone among the food vendors, the variety will offer something for everyone. In addition the firemen will turn up the heat for the annual chicken barbecue dinners, which will feature chicken, potato salad, rolls, chips and a drink. Dinners can be eaten there or purchased for carryout, and all meals are on a donation basis. Schlabach said there will be a new addition to the meal this year.

“We had a number of people request a quarter-chicken meal, so we will have that on the menu this year,” Schlabach said.

There also will be fresh fry pies, homemade ice cream and plenty more to dine on throughout the evening.

Of course to top off the night when dusk rolls around, the sky will be lit up with color from a fireworks display.

Whether it is for the fun, the food or the music or simply to show support for the local volunteers who work hard to keep their community safe, the East Holmes Fireman’s Festival is a perfect way to spend a summer day.

Berlin Elementary is located at 4978 W. Main St. in Berlin.


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