TIRO – Firefighters and the community alike are busy “rekindling” plans for the town’s annual Firemen’s Festival on June 24 and 25 at the firehouse downtown.
The Tiro-Auburn Fireman’s Festival is a mainstay in the village, with proceeds to benefit the volunteer fire department. But it’s also a family affair – rooted in tradition and “fueled” by dedicated volunteers and members of the ladies auxiliary.
“It’s kind of a family thing,” said Tracy Cleland, the auxiliary’s vice president, and a 40-year festival volunteer. “The kids have helped since they were able to hand out pop. As they grew up, they helped the guys with all their stuff like the cutting of the meat.”
Cleland’s husband, Doug, is a longtime firefighter with the department, as are their sons Matt and Mark.
Even their daughter-in-law, Holly Cleland (Matt’s wife), has joined the festival faithful, serving food at first and then becoming a member of the auxiliary.
“There’s a lot of firemen and their kids who grew up with it too,” Tracy Cleland said, noting that their family is by no means unique. “They all became friends when they were little. It’s nice that some of the younger ones in there too and a lot of their wives.”
Over the years, she said, food has always been a festival draw. Pork sandwiches are the Friday favorite, and roast beef is always on tap Saturday, all cooked outdoors and shredded by the firefighters themselves. Serving is from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on both days.
Of course, Nancy Little will be back in the kitchen simmering batches of her specialty – chicken noodle soup. The ladies are also preparing homemade potato salad, coleslaw, and other sides, with pies provided by Katering Kountry Style in Bucyrus, Cleland said.
Although there is no mud volleyball tournament this year, a 5K walk and run is making its festival return after a short hiatus, Cleland said. “Stop, Drop & Run” steps off Saturday morning at 9:30, with registration at 8:45 a.m. at the firehouse. The entry fee is $15.
The band, “One Foot in the Grave,” will perform Friday night at 8, while the “Luke Rietschlin Band” will take the stage Saturday. A beer garden will also be available both nights featuring adult games such as the “Chicken Poop Game,” Cleland said.
For kids, carnival games will be set up both days from 1 p.m. until dark. New this year, Cleland said, is “Touch a Truck,” an area where children can explore a variety of emergency vehicles Saturday from 2 to 4.
“We’re trying to make it more family-oriented.”
A craft show, gun raffle, and ladies’ auxiliary basket raffle round out festival activities, with all money raised going to purchase fire gear and much-needed equipment for the volunteer force.
“We have a ton, a ton of stuff going on,” Cleland said. “We’re just hoping for good weather and a good turnout. We just want everybody to come out and eat our food and have a good time.”