Firefighters to have demos and displays at park social
WARSAW – The River View Community Park Social has become a community tradition spanning more than five decades. Now in its 52nd year, the social will be offering an additional attraction to the event. The Walhonding Valley Firefighters will be on hand on Sunday, Aug. 5 to give demonstrations and have displays of their firetrucks and equipment.
“They normally do an open house every two years at the fire house,” said Jesse Fischer, president of the River View Community Park Board. “This year, they approached us and said they wanted to include that event in the park social. They wanted to have the event at the park so the community can see what services they provide and the equipment they have.”
The fire department will have a safety house for the kids to explore and Deputy Dave Stone will have a K-9 unit there.
The River View football players will be involved in the park social this year as well. Members of the team will help with set up and tear down for the event.
“One of the big things is that the community is involved in this event,” said Fischer. “We have about eight to 12 park board members volunteer, but it’s more work than we could ever do on our own. The park board members are reaching out to people in the community to help serve food, Bingo, setting up and tearing down.”
The event starts on Friday, Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. with a community pool party from 8 – 10 p.m. Admission is $3. The fun continues on Saturday, Aug. 4 with Bingo at the large shelter from 6 – 9 p.m.
Sunday is the main event. The day starts at 11:30 a.m. with a chicken barbecue by the Walhonding Valley Firefighters. The full menu will include homemade noodles, sandwiches, homemade pies, and homemade ice cream.
The Nellie United Methodist Church, the Buxton family, and Donna Rae Young and her daughter do the homemade noodles every year. Jim Warden at Warsaw Dari Land provides the homemade ice cream.
“Then you have the chicken barbecue by the fire department and that hasn’t changed in a long time,” said Fischer.
Enjoy the entertainment during your lunch with music provided by the Walhonding Rube Band from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. The Chestnut Ridge Bluegrass Band will take the stage afterward from 1:30 – 3 p.m. During that time at 2 p.m., there will also be a $52 coin toss at the pool where kids can dive for money.
The popular kids watermelon eating contest will begin at 3 p.m. in front of the stage. The contest is coordinated by Sandy Zimmer and sponsored by area businesses who provide the watermelon, t-shirts, and prizes. Kids can sign up the day of the event at the park. There are usually three to four different age groups who vie for first place.
Don’t forget to adopt a plastic duck for the Beaver Run Duck Race which will be at 3:30 p.m.
“It’s a unique thing,” said Fischer. “It’s not something you see everywhere. People will buy them for their grandkids and pick a lucky number like their grandkid’s birthday. They line the creek banks and cheer them on.”
For a minimal donation, people can adopt a duck and hope he finishes in the money. The top five will receive a cash prize.
Funds generated from the park social will benefit the park and help maintain equipment, shelters, the pool, etc. Park board members hope to raise between $5,000 – $7,000 each year as this is the park’s major fundraiser.
“The tradition is what brings people back,” said Fischer. “It’s always the first weekend in August and it’s a way to celebrate the park and reunite with friends and family you don’t get to see that often. It’s always good food and good fellowship.”
Category: Arts & Entertainment
