The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
Hays Feeback and his stepdaughter Meah LaManna kick up their heels with an energetic swing at the Fireman's Ball.
Fire Captain Billy Cyr pulls double duty, minding both the door and his sons Randy, Jackson and Gary.
Shades of Blue, featuring John Beckman, keeps the crowd moving on the dance floor with a blend of country and classic rock as the evening wears on.
Kevin Grantier takes bids on the final quilt made by the late Jesse Sallin. Sallin regularly donated quilts to the Fireman's Ball to help them raise funds. This final quilt brought in $1000.
John and Lori Beckman cut a rug.
The Lincoln Fireman's Ball returned to its traditional weekend Saturday, with a turnout of supporters that required overflow seating in Station One, next door to the Community Hall.
Lincoln Fire Chief Zach Muse estimated they had between 300 and 350 people attend the ball this year, but didn't have an exact figure since people came and went throughout the evening.
"This is what it's all about," Assistant Fire Chief Derek Perez said Saturday afternoon as the firefighters set up for the evening. "We just love the community and to bring everybody together for the event. This is the best place to do it."
During the COVID-related restrictions of the last two years, the Fire Department had to get creative with the Fireman's Ball, which is their only fundraiser of the year. In 2020, they went online with a virtual fundraiser that brought in about $14,000. Last year they went with an outdoor Fireman's Ball at Hooper Park in June that proved popular with kids and family members, but this year they decided to go back to tradition.
Perez said the firefighters may do a fun day during the summer for the kids, not as a fundraiser, just to give back to the community.
"I'm excited for tonight," said Bobbi Jean Buster. "I was never a member of the fire department while we had the traditional Fireman's Ball. We had a blast last summer and I loved every minute of that, but I'm excited to be part of tonight and see how it all goes."
"(It) seems like the whole towns just as excited as we are to have it back," said Jonathon Frisbee who, like Buster, didn't join the fire department until after the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Perez said they had particularly good donations this year. "Everybody has been coming up to us, saying 'hey, I have a donation for you.' It's been great," he said. "It was hard during the pandemic. Everybody was just going through so much. It made it hard to ask for donations. Now that we're kind of out of it, a lot of things have opened up, and a lot of people are doing better."
Muse said the initial estimate for the funds raised through the fireman's ball was about $17,000, but the final tally has yet to be determined.
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