Wheaton firefighters will grill up fun this Saturday at annual BBQ
August 21, 2019
Charlea Estes-Jones
On Saturday, the rides will be running, the chicken will be cooking and there will be fun for all at the long-running annual Wheaton BBQ. This year marks the 61st year for the event, with several of those years with volunteer firefighters with Wheaton Fire Department hosting the event to bring families together for food, fun and entertainment for all ages.
Every year, the Wheaton Fire Department puts together the community event to bring people together. With favorites like the duck race, bands playing throughout the afternoon and free kids' rides, the crowd is usually large and friendly.
Wheaton fire chief Lindy Lombard said the department took over the event after it was started by a group of business owners 61 years ago. Eventually, the Wheaton Community Club hosted it before finally the fire department took thereins.
Lombard said the event is prolific because of the nostalgia and how it brings the community members together. He said, "I really think it's something that has stuck our little community together, and so many people look forward to it. Whether it's graduates who moved away and look forward to coming back to see old classmates or people around town who look forward to getting out and seeing everyone, people just really enjoy it."
The event also helps raise funds to keep the fire department, which is volunteer-run, operational.
This year's event kicks off with the Wheaton Street Machines Shoe and Shine Car Show and the Spud McCracken Memorial Horseshoe Tournament at 11 a.m.
Food service begins at 11:30 a.m. this year, and kids' rides will start up at 1 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. when the duck race begins.
This year will have the same fare as years before. A half BBQ chicken meal with a baked potato, baked beans, bread and milk or coffee will be $6 for adults and $3 for kids. There will also be pulled pork sandwiches and baked beans for $5 and homemade pies and ice cream available from the Wheaton United Methodist Church women's group. Additional concessions will also be on-site with more traditional fair-type food.
The annual duck race, which is arguably one of the more entertaining annual events in Barry County, allows event goers to "purchase" rubber ducks with coordinating numbers and colors that will be dumped into a makeshift pond at the city park. Firefighters will use hoses to push the ducks across the pond until winners make it to the finish line. The pond also serves as a place for kids to cool down throughout the day.
The duck race this year will be held at 8 p.m. with first place getting $500, second $250, third netting $125, fourth receiving $75 and fifth place $50. Ducks can be purchased prior to the event at a special tent.
During the day, there will also be an arts and crafts show in large tents in the shade. Music begins at 1 p.m. and runs until the end of the evening. Justin Boots also donated two pairs of adult boots to be given away during the BBQ.
Lombard said one change this year will be the location of the arts and crafts fair. He said, "We have several arts and crafts vendors signed up this year already, so we moved it into the firehouse this year."
Lombard added that the fire department volunteers really look forward to the BBQ as a way to socialize with the community, but also host an event that is loved by so many. He said, "It's something we don't ever want to die out because it's something a lot of our people look forward to. Of course it's a lot of work, but it's something we look forward to putting on for our community and the surrounding area each year."
This year's Wheaton BBQ will be held on Saturday, August 24, at the city park from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. For more information, including the schedule of bands throughout the day, see the ad in this week's paper on page 5A.
Charlea Estes-Jones
On Saturday, the rides will be running, the chicken will be cooking and there will be fun for all at the long-running annual Wheaton BBQ. This year marks the 61st year for the event, with several of those years with volunteer firefighters with Wheaton Fire Department hosting the event to bring families together for food, fun and entertainment for all ages.
Every year, the Wheaton Fire Department puts together the community event to bring people together. With favorites like the duck race, bands playing throughout the afternoon and free kids' rides, the crowd is usually large and friendly.
Wheaton fire chief Lindy Lombard said the department took over the event after it was started by a group of business owners 61 years ago. Eventually, the Wheaton Community Club hosted it before finally the fire department took thereins.
Lombard said the event is prolific because of the nostalgia and how it brings the community members together. He said, "I really think it's something that has stuck our little community together, and so many people look forward to it. Whether it's graduates who moved away and look forward to coming back to see old classmates or people around town who look forward to getting out and seeing everyone, people just really enjoy it."
The event also helps raise funds to keep the fire department, which is volunteer-run, operational.
This year's event kicks off with the Wheaton Street Machines Shoe and Shine Car Show and the Spud McCracken Memorial Horseshoe Tournament at 11 a.m.
Food service begins at 11:30 a.m. this year, and kids' rides will start up at 1 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. when the duck race begins.
This year will have the same fare as years before. A half BBQ chicken meal with a baked potato, baked beans, bread and milk or coffee will be $6 for adults and $3 for kids. There will also be pulled pork sandwiches and baked beans for $5 and homemade pies and ice cream available from the Wheaton United Methodist Church women's group. Additional concessions will also be on-site with more traditional fair-type food.
The annual duck race, which is arguably one of the more entertaining annual events in Barry County, allows event goers to "purchase" rubber ducks with coordinating numbers and colors that will be dumped into a makeshift pond at the city park. Firefighters will use hoses to push the ducks across the pond until winners make it to the finish line. The pond also serves as a place for kids to cool down throughout the day.
The duck race this year will be held at 8 p.m. with first place getting $500, second $250, third netting $125, fourth receiving $75 and fifth place $50. Ducks can be purchased prior to the event at a special tent.
During the day, there will also be an arts and crafts show in large tents in the shade. Music begins at 1 p.m. and runs until the end of the evening. Justin Boots also donated two pairs of adult boots to be given away during the BBQ.
Lombard said one change this year will be the location of the arts and crafts fair. He said, "We have several arts and crafts vendors signed up this year already, so we moved it into the firehouse this year."
Lombard added that the fire department volunteers really look forward to the BBQ as a way to socialize with the community, but also host an event that is loved by so many. He said, "It's something we don't ever want to die out because it's something a lot of our people look forward to. Of course it's a lot of work, but it's something we look forward to putting on for our community and the surrounding area each year."
This year's Wheaton BBQ will be held on Saturday, August 24, at the city park from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. For more information, including the schedule of bands throughout the day, see the ad in this week's paper on page 5A.