GILBERT, Pa. — The West End Fireman’s Festival is making a return. The festival at the West End Fair Grounds in Gilbert features food, rides, vendors, and live music.
"We have lots of rides, lots of good food, and also on the stage each night we have a band— Thursday we have a band, Friday and Saturday we have two," said Jeff Weiss, West End Fire Company president.
The festival got its start in 2019 as a fundraiser for the four fire departments that cover Monroe County's West End, which include Kunkletown Volunteer Fire Company, West End Fire Company, Polk Township Fire Company, and Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder.
"Our costs continue to go up, and having the number of volunteers that we have, which has dipped in the last few years, it is tough to still do all of the fundraising as well as the training that is now required to be a firefighter," Weiss said.
"Without the support, we can't do what we are going to do. We can't save lives. We can't show up to calls. Without the support of our families, the community, our jobs, this doesn't exist," said Polk Township Fire Chief Billy Tippett.
Chief Tippett says his department recently bought a new rescue engine, but there are lots of other things the department needs to pay for throughout the year.
"We have to maintain our equipment and maintain our stations. We need to purchase firefighter equipment for the members and keep up to date with current equipment. As vehicles change and houses change, we need that equipment to combat the emergencies we have to deal with."
Organizers decided to add a tricky tray this year. Local businesses stepped up to donate nearly 400 prizes like autographed sports memorabilia, tickets to a Philadelphia Phillies game, a TV, a grill, and gift cards.
"Our big-ticket items include cash prizes anywhere from $50 to $500 dollars. We have several lottery trees with scratch-offs, and we have a money tree," said Krissy Harrison, treasurer for the West End Fire Company.
The three-day-long festival gets underway Thursday, May 30, at 5:30 p.m. and reopens Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday will feature a touch-a-truck and fireworks.
Admission is $10 cash per car.