SULPHUR SPRINGS – The Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department is cooking up its biggest meal of the year.
Firefighters are roasting more than 500 pounds of meat in preparation for their annual Firemen’s Festival July 30 and 31. According to Fire Chief Rick Harley, the event – a town tradition since 1985 – is known for its great food and entertainment.
“Last year was a partial festival with drive-thru only due to COVID-19. This year it’s back full-blown. Full menu and good food,” said Harley. “I believe people really enjoy the festival. They eat, then they stay and listen to the bands. It’s an attraction.”
A beer garden and gun raffle Saturday at 10 p.m. also are on tap for this year’s event. Serving begins at 4:30 p.m. with live entertainment starting at 9 p.m. “One Foot in the Grave” will perform Friday, while “The Rolling Hams” take the stage Saturday night.
Harley said firefighters are cooking 250 pounds of beef and 250 pounds of pork for the festival, which will be simmered outdoors over a charcoal fire. “We cook it, and then we chunk it up in the kitchen and finish it off in roasters, and it finishes cooking.”
Beef, pork, and bratwurst sandwiches are festival mainstays, but the menu also includes corn-on-the-cob, other side dishes, and assorted pies. Proceeds once again benefit the 22-member fire department, which Harley has overseen since 2005.
“All the money stays right at the fire department for things above and beyond our budget,” Harley said.
“But we couldn’t do it without our people to help. It takes everybody to make it work. Without everybody, we couldn’t pull it off.”
The festival, which runs until 1 a.m. each day, is held at the fire station on Liberty Street downtown.