Nothing starts the summer off so well as a community barbeque.
The Lakeshore Fire Department in Wharton’s Dock hosted Springfest at their firehouse on Saturday, June 1. Numerous signs were placed all over the area to direct folks to the event.
The LVFD set up a petting zoo, a water slide bounce house, a raffle, games and a plant sale for barbeque guests and local children. Tables were set up outside under the trees, under the pavilion and inside the station.
All the department’s firefighters and volunteers came out to help make Springfest a success.
The grill masters cooked up 9 briskets and 9 pork shoulders. The meat was succulent and juicy with just the right amount of darkly crusted bark.
New resident Barbara Sultemeir stated that “the beef was really good. They did a great job.”
As Jimmy and Russ carved the briskets, several men stood nearby chatting about barbeque techniques and the proper way to grill.
Fireman Clint worked hard at the grill cutting and making heaping tins of meat to take to the servers inside.
Beverly Reedy chatted with neighbors and exclaimed that servings were large enough to make two meals.
“The guys always make good barbeque. The line to get in has been out the door for over an hour,” said Reedy.
The kids at the petting zoo had their choice of piglets, baby goats, baby rabbits, and a friendly puppy. All the animals were drowsing in the shade of the trees.
Eight-year-old Reid chased a goat around the pen till he could pick it up and carry it in his arms. He stopped for a picture with a gap-toothed grin on his face.
Solemn-faced Noa leaned down to pet the puppy who was happy for her attention. Noa’s brother Dane picked up a soft bunny and cuddled it while smiling seriously for a picture.
While the bounce house was small, the kids splashed in the pool on the side and quickly climbed up for their turn to slide down to the water.
A volunteer mom stood by to make sure things did not get too rowdy while parents ate peacefully under the pavilion just a few yards away.
Inside the station house there was a cakewalk, a plant sale, desserts by donation, the serving line and many tables set up for diners to eat in the shady cool interior.
Music played as the diners finished up their lunch and ambled over to examine the poster with the raffle prizes listed.
Volunteer Tammy Teich manned the raffle booth and stated that they had sold many tickets for the assorted firearms and gift cards shown on the poster.
Most patrons walked by the booth and studied the poster before purchasing a raffle ticket or two. She emphasized that winners did not need to be present to win. The drawings were held at 3:30 PM.
County Commissioner Jodi Rutherford and wife Caroline strolled through to get some lunch and chat with the people present.
The money collected from Springfest will be used to fund the department’s operational expenses as they get no funding from local or state governments.
The event was a success, and the Wharton’s Dock residents in attendance left smiling and pleasantly full of a great barbeque lunch. This summer kickoff event brought neighbors together and helped support their local emergency services.
