As a result, the FVFD will be turning up the heat for funds to remain open and the heat is on for the Hillbilly Holiday set for Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Fruitland Firehouse located at 75 Kelsey Lane.
Beginning at 3 p.m., there will be a horseshoe tournament, cake walk, bingo (yes, we have a big board and this will be serious bingo), dunk tank, a delicious Hoby’s steak barbecue with all the trimmings followed by live music and dancing with Lauri O and the Knights. There might be a little poker game going on in the back room, too.
Beer and wine will be served as well as sodas and free hot dogs for the kids. Some great raffled prizes will also be available.
The Fruitland Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1979 and over the years has evolved into a top-notch brigade of dedicated volunteers and neighbors. This year alone the FVFD responded to 24 calls of which seven were fires. Quick response kept these fires from getting out of hand. Total burned acreage - 9; loss of property - 0; injuries - 0. They respond with mutual aid to near departments and cover the area west from Elk Creek Road, south to Eel Rock and north to McCann.
The Fruitland Volunteer Fire Department is known as a “bake sale” department. Every Thursday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., a burger barbecue is held at the firehouse, bringing neighbors and friends together. But that’s not going to be enough to keep the fire department going.
In our area of Southern Humboldt, all our volunteer fire departments are our first and last defense against fire, accidents and medical assistance. They are also the backbone of our small and far-flung communities. To lose one is to lose a thread in the very fabric that keeps our rural communities bonded. Already the Palo Verde Volunteer Fire Department has had to consider shutting down. When this happens, citizens are left to wait a long time for help to arrive and that can very quickly become a tragedy.
There are always hidden costs to keeping a fire department in operation. The FVFD noticed a spike in their PG&E bill over the past two months. On Aug. 20 they responded to a fire and came back to fill up the water truck only to find there was no water.
The pump on the well wasn’t working. Evidence showed that water was being stolen and the pump had burned up. Apparently, the water was being stolen over the course of time because the $300 valve on the tank was broken. When the repairs were made, the total came to $1,500. This is just a small example of costs associated with running a volunteer fire department although vandalism doesn’t usually occur other costs continue to rise.
Cost for the entire event is $25 per ticket. Tickets are available at Four Mori Market and 2 Die 4 Designs in Myers Flat as well as at the Riverwood Inn in Phillipsville.
You may also call 943-3402 for ticket reservations or by mail. Simply send a check to FVFD, P.O. Box 87, Myers Flat, CA 95554. This should be a real “down home” event and fun for all ages.
Directions to the firehouse are easy. Take the Avenue of the Giants to Elk Creek Road, go up the hill about three miles to the forks, then take a left onto Dyerville Loop Road for about a half mile until you see the signs.
photo caption:
The Fruitland Volunteer Fire Department building, where the upcoming fundraiser on Sept. 29 will be held.
Font Resize
