Published: October 02, 2008 01:33 pm      

Valley View Fire Fest slated for Saturday

Valley View Volunteer Fire Department is planning its annual Fire Fest.

The all-day fundraiser which helps defray operating costs for the department is set to begin with a parade at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

VVVFD Chief Wayne Smith said lunch is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. and will include brisket, potato salad and beans.

There is also something new this year, Smith said.

“We’re having an old-fashioned pig roast,” he noted.

Volunteer firefighter, Marnee Smith (Wayne Smith’s wife), said the roasted pig should be a culinary treat.

“The pig will be seasoned and slow-roasted. It tastes really good,” she promised.

The biggest event of the day is scheduled to be the volunteer fire department’s auction beginning at 1 p.m. on the Valley View square.

Marnee Smith said there are some interesting items up for bids including a firefighter birthday party.

“The party will include a cake and pizzas from Pizza Hut. Also the firefighters will bring a couple of trucks and let the kids try out the hoses,” she said.

She said other auction items are a 17-inch pleasure riding saddle, a black jasper and gold custom-designed necklace from Tinka’s Boutique, metal art donated by Jimmy Cooper and Lone Star Trailer, two paintings by local artist, Carol Hinchey and a ton of cattle cubes donated by the Martindale Feed Mill.

There are also many other items, some of which will be combined into gift packages, Smith said.

Assisting Smith during the auction will be the “Smokin’ Hot Calendar Girls” a group of female firefighters from across the county.

“They’ll have their own booth,” Smith said.

Activities for children are also planned and include a bounce house, a novelty jail and a dunking booth.

Several nonprofit organizations plan to be on hand including Keep Valley View Beautiful. Local artisans will have items for sale during the event.

Another highlight is the organization’s Firefighter Rodeo which is set for 3 p.m.

Last year was the rodeo’s first performance of the event which pits firefighters against each other in athletic competitions.

“The older guys compete against the younger guys in firefighter events like the ladder carry,” Smith said.

The older firefighters surprised the younger ones when they walked away with an overall win in the competition during last year, Smith said, adding, “It’s just good-natured fun.”

A Dallas-area county music band is scheduled to perform from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the square.

Last year’s event brought in about $12,000 for the volunteer firefighters who depend on donations to keep their organization running.

“As with all of our volunteer fire departments, the county provides as much assistance as we can, but their existence and ability to support their community relies on their community support,” said Ray Fletcher Cooke County Emergency Management Coordinator.