Lincoln Firefighters host first outdoor Firemans Ball

The Lincoln Fireman's Ball was the latest local event to make a comeback as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes and restrictions loosen up.

Normally scheduled a weekend in March around St. Patrick's Day, the Ball had to be cancelled last year as the Lewis and Clark Public Health began implementing restrictions related to the spread of the novel coronavirus. Instead they hosted a successful auction via Facebook to help raise funds for the fire company.

Despite the success of last year's auctions, the firefighters decided earlier this year that an in-person get together was important and opted for a first-ever outdoor summer Ball, to give people a chance to attend the family-friendly event, even if some restrictions remained.

"Corona kind of threw everything up in the air and we kind of scrambled and decided we'd do this," Lincoln Fire Chief Zach Muse said as the Ball got underway Saturday afternoon "Obviously it's a lot different, but we'll get some of those folks who are always gone in the winter, and probably some tourists, too."

With the outdoor event, firefighters incorporated more games for kids and families, including corn hole, bucket pong and a sort of reverse tug-of-war that let kids go head-to-head using fire hoses to push a bucket back and forth on a cable.

"We can spread the kids out more, we can cut some stuff up, we can spray some water," Muse said. " We're just trying to make it be a barbecue atmosphere."

It also provided firefighters the chance to demonstrate how they remove a car crash victim. Using extrication tools they cut apart a junked car with a dummy victim inside.

Midway through the evening, Muse recognized and introduced the volunteer firefighters and cadets who were on hand for the ball. He also noted that all the equipment on display was purchased with funds earned fighting fire for the state, through grants and donations and through the federal excess program, rather than with tax-base dollars.

"We do our very best to get as much as we can without costing the folks here anything," he said. "Thank you all. We appreciate your help and generosity as always, and hope you're having fun."

When all was said and done, the verdict was in.

"Everybody seemed to love it," Muse told the BVD Monday.

He said it will be a few weeks before they can determine how much the fire company received from the fundraiser, although he expected it to be down from past years.

"For what we did, the fun and everything, it was well worth it."

The Fireman's Ball will likely return to the Hall during its traditional mid-March time frame next year, but Muse said they've had conversations about possibly doing a summer Fun Day similar to this year's event, although without the live band and auctions. "(Maybe) we'll just try to do a Fun Day barbecue, have Aaron (Birkholz) provide music, have a 50/50 to pay for the burgers. If we can get a gun, maybe we can raffle it off or auction it off."

"It was a good deal and we just appreciate everybody coming and donating and helping. It was a blast. Everyone, (including) the firefighters had fun," he said. "It's a win-win for everybody.