Fire Fest 2004 taught fire safety
Christy and James Van Meter, of Evans, not only wanted their son to have fun. They also hoped he would learn a valuable lesson at Saturday's Fire Fest 2004 event in Evans.
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Members of the Martinez Fire Department compete in the muster competition during the annual Fire Fest, which was held Saturday in the field behind the Kroger in Evans.
Photo by Quandra Collins
"I wanted Will to learn about fire safety," Mrs. Van Meter said. "They had a trailer out here that looked like a house, and the firefighters talked about fire safety and showed the kids a short film about what to do if they are ever in a house fire.''
The festival, which was sponsored and organized by the Rotary Club of Columbia County and Columbia County Fire Chiefs Association, took place in an open field behind the Evans Kroger on Washington Road. It included a variety of activities, such as live entertainment, arts and crafts, pony rides, fire hose squirting and a petting zoo.
Lee Clark, the president of the Rotary Club of Columbia County, said the event is held each year for a purpose.
"This is our seventh annual Fire Fest (where we) promote fire safety," he said. "It is also a fund-raiser where we raise money for the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation, fire departments and other Rotary charities, and it gives people an opportunity to see the firefighters compete with one another in the muster competition."
Ronald Davis, a battalion chief for the Martinez Fire Department, said the festival also introduces people to emergency services in the area.
"This shows citizens of Columbia County what fire services in the county are made of," Davis said. "It gets the community together to look at all of the emergency services the county has to offer."
Matthew Vailencour, 5, (left) and his sister, Taylor, 4, look at their self-made pixie sticks at Saturday's festivities.
Photo by Quandra Collins
Because October is Fire Prevention Month, Dino F. Cesarini, a Martinez fire captain, said the timing of the Fire Fest event is fitting.
"This culminates Fire Prevention Week where the firefighters visited several schools (in the area) teaching kids about fire safety," he said.
Ellen Cortez, of Evans, said she liked attending the event because it's "kid friendly.''
"I like it because it teaches kids a lot about fire safety in a language they can understand," she said.
Andy Nguyen, 5, visits Burnie Jr., the fire mascot, at the Fire Fest. Activities during the event showed children what to do during a fire.
Photo by Quandra Collins
Andrew Hsu, 18 months, looks for candy and prizes underneath a dirt pile at the Fire Fest.
Photo by Quandra Collins