Hosted by Manawa Rural firefighters

By Holly Neumann

The Manawa Rural Fire Department will host its annual Fire Fest beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Bear Lake Resort, N4715 State Highway 22/110 in Manawa.

“This event is important to the department because it gives our members a chance to thank our community for all of their continued support with a fun afternoon before the weather turns colder,” said Assistant Fire Chief Josh Smith.

The event opens with the Bean Bag Toss Tournament at 2 p.m.

“Along with this, we will be having 50/50 drawings, Drop Bucket Prizes, Kids’ Bikes Giveaways, Trick or Treating in the campground, Haunted Hayride, and so much more,” Smith said.

Funds raised this year will support the continuous upgrading of equipment.

“With events like this and the support of everyone who comes out, we’ve been able to purchase a new vent saw, four new thermal imaging cameras, throw rope rescue bags, and new pike poles,” Smith said.

The hope is that everyone that comes out to show their support has a good time.

The Manawa Rural Fire Deptartment serves the towns of Little Wolf, Union, Royalton and Lebanon, and the city of Manawa, and covers a total of 96 square miles.

They currently have 34 members on roster.

“I believe fire departments, especially the volunteer/paid-on-call departments are important to their communities,” he said. “They are the people who are called when someone is having a bad day. It takes a special type of person to join and serve the communities they live in, especially doing this type of work.”

The Manawa Rural Fire Department is always accepting new members.

“All you have to do is fill out an application and we’ll explain our hiring process,” Smith said.

Interested parties can reach the Manawa Rural Fire Department via email, [email protected], message on the Facebook page, Manawa Rural Fire Department, or call 920-596-2593 and leave a message.