Firefest at Bear Lake - Waupaca County Post

Event features bike give-aways

By Jane Myhra

Decklin Larsen, of Omro, won a bicycle at last year's Firefest, sponsored by the Manawa Rural Fire Department. Presenting the bicycle were (from left) MRFD Assistant Chief Josh Smith, Smokey Bear and Fire Chief Rob Rosenau. Jane Myhra Photo — Decklin Larsen, of Omro, won a bicycle at last year’s Firefest, sponsored by the Manawa Rural Fire Department. Presenting the bicycle were (from left) MRFD Assistant Chief Josh Smith, Smokey Bear and Fire Chief Rob Rosenau. Jane Myhra Photo

The fourth annual Firefest is set for Saturday, Sept. 17, at Bear Lake Resort and Campground, N4715 State Highway 22-110, Manawa.

Sponsored by the Manawa Rural Fire Department, the event begins at 2 p.m.

A total of 10 children’s bicycles will be given away – five boys’ bikes and five girls’ bikes. Each child will receive a ticket for the bicycle raffle, and they must be present to win.

There will also be a bean bag toss tournament, drop bucket and 50-50 raffle, a live auction, costume judging and trick or treating.
“We come up with new stuff every year to keep it fresh,” said Assistant Fire Chief Josh Smith.

According to Smith, many local people camp at Bear Lake for the event.

“Firefest is one last chance to camp before summer ends,” he said.

“We appreciate the sponsors who purchase a kids bike every year for the give-away,” Smith said.

The bean bag toss tournament begins at 2 p.m. The cost is $20 per team with a 50 percent payout.

The schedule includes: children’s activities from 2-6 p.m.; trick or treating at 6 p.m.; Kids Haunted Hayride at dusk; disc jockey music from 7-11 p.m.; and a live auction at 9 p.m.

During the live auction, participants may bid on manual labor hours donated by firefighters.

All proceeds from Firefest will update MRFD’s equipment.

For more information, call Conroy’s Bear Lake Campground & Resort at 920-596-3940.