By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The second day of the Tiro-Auburn Firefighters’ Festival brought more food, music, fun, and of course more mud Saturday.
Beginning early in the afternoon dinners from the Ladies Auxiliary were being served up with roast beef sandwiches, sides, dessert, and drinks with proceeds from the various festival amenities going to the Tiro-Auburn Volunteer Fire Department.
Firefighter Bryan Waines explained what the proceeds will be used for.
“It goes to upgrade our equipment and keep things up to date. It is a constant battle, things are expensive, we are a small town and the budget is somewhat limited,” Waines said. “This year we are looking to purchase some turn out gear for some of the guys who already bought some and it will go to cover that.”
While food was being served at the fire station, things were getting a little dirty in the lot next door as the second day of the annual mud volleyball tournament was in full swing. Twenty-six teams competed against each other as they bumped, set, and spiked the volleyball while trying to make their opponent go splat in the mud.
Playing mud volleyball for the first time was Robin Barnes, who competed with her team, the Big Red Firetruck. Barnes explained what brought her out to the tournament.
“I got invited to play on a team, I just thought it would be a good time because I have never played mud volleyball before, so just out here enjoying the sun,” Barnes said. “It’s a lot of fun, it’s harder to hit the ball when it is wet, but you kind of fight through it and just hit it.”
Jerimiah Crager came to the mud volleyball tournament to have fun with friends.
“The alcohol is my favorite part,” Crager said. “We came out for the summer time, good people, and friends.”
Crager added that his team’s name was in tribute to another sports team.
“Here We Go Brownies is in homage to the Cleveland Browns,” Crager added.
Watching other teams play, Samantha Bauer and Genevieve Lacy’s team didn’t fair too well, however, fun was still had.
“I came out to play with my team; they picked me up last week. It was a blast, we lost but it was fun,” Bauer said.
“My favorite part is the competition,” Bauer continued.
“And getting muddy,” Lacy added.
Bryan Sykes was enjoying the tournament, though he had his eye on the monetary prize.
“We are just trying to compete and win some money at the Mud Volleyball tournament,” Sykes said. “The best part about it is getting muddy, though.”
Bailey Howell enjoyed the tournament, and couldn’t wait to get back into the mud pits.
“We have been doing very well. It has been treating us nice. We won a couple, so I want to get in the mud as soon as possible. My favorite part is just how everyone enjoys it and everyone is having fun,” Howell explained.
MORE PHOTOS: Tiro-Auburn Firefighters’ Festival Mud Volleyball Tournament
Mud Volleyball and food weren’t the only happenings at the Tiro-Auburn Firefighters Festival Saturday. County Line Band was scheduled to perform in the beer garden to close out the evening.