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| The Southern Illusion band will perform Friday and Saturday night during the Tri-County Fire Fighters Association Homecoming in Mount Sterling: (front row, from left) Jim Foreman, Duane Pence; (back row) Mount Sterling Village Administrator Dusty Parker, Mark DePoy, Mike Keating and Pete Bradstreet. |
The orange barrels of road construction have forced the Tri-County Fire Fighters Homecoming off the streets of Mount Sterling and into Veterans Field. The annual festival will take place June 11-14.
“We’ve held the homecoming on the streets for at least 10 years. We’ll feel it out, having it at Veterans Field. Maybe we’ll stay there next year. It’s a year-to-year judgment,” said Bruce Alkire, a fire fighter with the department.
While the festival’s location is different, the line-up of family-friendly entertainment is sticking to tradition. As always, the fire fighters will serve hamburgers made with their special sauce. Other food vendors will offer goodies. Craft vendors will sell their wares, and Perry Amusements will set up rides.
The Southern Illusion band, which includes Mount Sterling Village Administrator Dusty Parker, will perform from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The festival hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. Ride specials are planned for Wednesday and Saturday.
The Homecoming is a major fundraiser for the Tri-County Fire Fighters Association, which supports the fire district by purchasing supplies for the station and equipment for the trucks.
Tri-County Joint Fire District covers approximately 118 square miles, including the Village of Mount Sterling, Pleasant Township in Madison County, Madison Township in Fayette County, and Monroe and Darby townships in Pickaway County. The area has a population of 10,500.
“Last year, we bought fire hose, various hand tools and another winch for the rescue (unit),” Alkire said. “The association takes care of these kind of items so the board doesn’t have to.”
Tri-County is staffed by 29 fire fighters, including two full-time fire fighters and one full-time chief who work weekdays. Volunteers cover nights and weekends.
For more information about the Homecoming, call the station at 740-869-2643. Chris Beaver is the association president.
