Fireman's Ball turn-out equalled white hot success
Excitment errupts during the Fire Truck bidding, Chris Borntreger gets the crowd pumped as he calls ‘Yes’ on an official bid. (Erin Jusseaume/Clark Fork Valley Press)
Auctioneer Chris Borntreger confirms the first bid for the Fire Truck while Chief Anthony Young holds the title ready to pass on to a hopeful winner. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Katie Hillman local kindergarten teacher makes a surprise bid on the Quinn’s Hot Springs night as Zach Anderson gives encouragement for a hopeful win. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Fire Chief Anthony Young with Patsy Wagoner as he hands over the title of the vintage truck. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Patsy and Donny Wagoner are all smiles with their newly purchased antique fire truck. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
A photo finish for Patsy Wagoner. (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
The Plains Fire Department held their annual Fireman’s Ball this past Saturday night at the Plains VFW Hall.
The packed out hall could see the full support for the department during the evening’s events.
“We have a BBQ dinner, then we’ll go onto the auction and finish the nights events with some great music and hopefully a bit of dancing,” said Chief Anthony Young.
The 9th Annual Fireman’s Ball is all about raising money for the local department so they are able to upgrade equipment or perform maintenance on machinery and vehicles.
Though there are grants that the department applies for through out the year, the fundraiser is vital to helping with banking money up to ensure they have up to date equipment.
“The next grant we will be going for is for a new fire station probably around $250,000,” said Young.
As well as the small donation for the event, there were lucky door prizes, a 50/50 raffle and the big raffle of the night a Loaded Ruger American Rifle Raffle.
The rifle raffle proved to be the ‘bees knees’, prize of the night for those that attended. Tickets cost only $5 for a ticket, and that didn’t stop many locals from purchasing more than just one.
Butcher’s Knook owner Jon Borntreger teamed up with his father Chris and brother Chris to take on Auctioneer duties at the event. Needless to say all three gentleman brought loads of color to the bids keeping the crowd fully entertained.
Chris kicked it off as the official auctioneer with both Jon and Chris scouting the crowd for those bid paddles as the shot up.
“We had many, many local families, individuals and businesses donate items for the auction,” said Young.
“There really is something for everyone on the tables,” he added.
The first item of the night was a camp hammock that was won by bidder #75 for a steal of just $95.
Later in the auction the crowd was bidding on home made items, gift certificate from many businesses including a nights stay at Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort.
That particular item was one of the most entertaining bidding wars of the night as the two ladies bidding for the win had the crowd in laughter as husbands looked a little nervous at one point.
The night all in good fun for not only the attendees but for the 10 man team that makes up the Plains Fire Department.
Arguably the ‘Grand Finale’ of the auction was a vintage 1951 Ford Fire Truck that was an active member of the department in it’s hay-day.
Though the bids started out light, it wasn’t long before Borntreger was going back and forth with two bidders while his son Chris was trying to keep up as he was talking to each after the other made the higher bid.
In the end, Patsy Wagoner was the overall winner placing the final bid of $5400. With title in hand Patsy was overwhelmed with her purchase.
In good small town spirits, Patsy giggled as she was congratulated by friends as she told them she hadn’t told her husband as he had stayed inside for the last auction item.
“This is really special as my dad was a fire fighter and this is a fantastic way to honor him,” said Wagoner.
“I would also really like to put it in the parade for the fair if I could, I will need to look as to how I could do that. It’s just a great truck,” she added.
With the lights bringing the truck to life, it would have been hard to not smile as big as the mountains for Patsy and husband Donny as they posed for a photo next to their almighty purchase.
“We raised a total of $7297.50 including the truck we auctioned off,” said Young.
With the costs of purchasing updated pagers for the department, the goal was set and matched.
From finger licking BBQ dinner, to some great fun in the auction, members of the Fire Department and guests danced the night away in true country style.
“The show of support for us and what we do helped make it the best ball yet,” said Young.
Plains Department 10 man Fire Fighting team:
Chief Anthony R.- Young
Jason Williams
Calvin Minemyer
Tom Zeigler
Nate Owens
Issac Richards
Dustin Emmett
Jaimi Carr
Lee Walker
Kelly Slusher