Recent EH Fireman’s Festival was a night to remember

The East Holmes Fireman’s Festival saw several thousand people pack Berlin Elementary’s school grounds on Saturday, July 20.

John Schlabach, East Holmes fire chief, said this year’s event was bigger than ever, with the grounds swarming with people even before the official 4 p.m. start time.

“What a beautiful night,” Schlabach said. “Even before the first band hit the stage, the big tent was nearly full. We’ve got incredible community support, and we don’t ever want to take that for granted because that relationship is what allows us to serve our community.”

The evening was full of festivities and plenty of food including a chicken barbecue dinner and food trucks. A trio of live bands performed on stage, and there also was an axe throwing pit, water games and the big fireworks show.

Under the EH Fire & EMS tent, department volunteers were busy selling raffle tickets for the gun raffle that featured 30 different sponsored firearms.

Tickets were sold prior to the event, but there were plenty of people purchasing tickets right up to the drawing that night just before the fireworks.

“The ticket sales have been unbelievable. We’re running short on tickets,” said Loren Hershberger, who coordinated this year’s festival. “With all of the activity going on tonight, we couldn’t ask for a better evening.”

He said the community support is a blessing. “We’re overwhelmed by the outpouring of support,” he said.

He also said the 45-member volunteer crew at the department played a big role in pulling everything together during the event.

“It took all of us to make this possible,” Hershberger said.

Another part of the evening was the auction, which saw a Golden Boy engraved rifle sell for $2,600 and a trip up the department’s high-ladder truck going for around $550.

Schlabach said they appreciate everyone who joined in the auction and for the support the community has shown once again for the department’s effort to serve the community.

According to David Mast, East Holmes Fire & EMS department member, the trip of the 105-foot ladder is one not many people get to take, at least voluntarily, and the view from that perch is simply astounding.

“You can see forever,” Mast said. “We appreciate Dan Schlabach from Little Cottage Co. purchasing the trip to the top and are thankful for his support. We had a blast up there, and it’s always neat to hear people’s expressions once they get up there.”

While Schlabach himself didn’t make the trek to the heavens, he did have two very willing volunteers in employees Jolene Schrock and Anna Miller, who are both thankfully not afraid of heights and were eager to share in the experience.

“The view was amazing from up there,” Schrock said. “Neither of us had any problem going up that high, and it was well worth it.”

It was so much fun,” Miller said. “I’d definitely do it again, and we appreciate Dan giving us this chance.”

As for the water games, much of the crowd turned its attention to the firefighting teams from 10 different area departments who took turns in a contest featuring a trio of firefighters from each department trying to use the water hoses to push a barrel on a wire past their opponents.

“People don’t realize how physically demanding that is on these guys,” Schlabach said. “I’ve been there and done that, and it’s not easy, especially when you’ve got water shooting into your face and you’re glaring right up into the sun.”

John Schlabach said they appreciate everyone who joined in the auction and for the support the community has shown once again.