Battle of the Barrel kicks off county firemen’s convention
GERMAN TWP. – Twenty-four volunteer firefighters from across the county battled each other Monday evening to determine which department would come out on top in the classic “battle of the barrel” contest. The contest, part of this week’s 72nd annual Fayette County Firemen’s Association Convention, is a skill contest that pits departments against each other in a competition to see who has more control over the high-powered spray from the fire hose.
A battered silver barrel strung overhead both teams begins in the middle of a rope, and participants use the water from fire hoses to push the barrel to one end of the rope.
Monday’s contest, and all other contests this week, will be held at the McClellandtown Volunteer Fire Department on Route 21. Adah, Edenborn, Footedale, McClellandtown and Ronco volunteer fire departments are jointly hosting this year’s convention.
“Everything is going excellent,” said Adah Volunteer Fire Department Chief L.C. Otto, adding that organizers anticipate a lot of participation from fire departments throughout the week and a lot of community support from onlookers.
Otto said the public is encouraged and invited to attend the activities every evening to support the fire departments and learn more about firefighting.
“It’s a good time. Everyone should come,” he said.
Tonight’s event will be hose-laying competitions, and “American Band” will provide entertainment for the night.
“Watts Up Karaoke” will provide the entertainment Wednesday and tug-of-war and fire truck pull competitions will be held. The tug-of-war pits teams of firefighters with a total weight less than 1,500 pounds against one another in the classic battle of strength. In the truck pull, firefighters actually pull their fire trucks, trying to move the massive vehicles as quickly as possible.
The always-popular scaffold and house bucket brigade competitions will be held Thursday and “Vibrations Band” will perform.
On Friday, the gear scramble competition will be held. “Polish 6 Pack” will perform and Summit Mountain Early Iron Club will have a car cruise.
The gear scramble is a single-man contest with firefighters beginning in street clothes. At the sound of a whistle, each contestant is timed as they don their fire gear and run 100 feet, where they put on their breathing apparatus.
The convention will conclude on Saturday, with the 72nd annual meeting of the convention and the election of the 2010-2011 officers.
A parade will be held at 4 p.m., with lineup scheduled for 3 p.m. at Albert Gallatin North Junior High School.
“Joe’s Dusty Disc” will perform from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by “Deja vu,” an oldies group that will perform from 7 to 10 p.m.
Food and games also will be available each night.
For more information on the annual convention, visit www.adahvfd.com.