ROSCOMMON – After a one year hiatus due to COVID, the Firemen’s Memorial Festival was a tremendous success this year, as several thousand visitors came to the grounds to eat, shop and most of all, honor the efforts of the firefighters that protect our homes and families.
More than 300 firefighters were honored by having their names engraved on the Firemen’s Memorial wall, located on Robinson Lake Road.
There were multiple changes this year at the festival, most notably the layout the of grounds. The front entrance was the site of multiple fire trucks and emergency vehicles, which was the first thing visitors saw upon entering. The Higgins Lake-Roscommon Lions Club also moved their world-renowned chicken BBQ near the front entrance as well. The club ran out of dinners this year, despite purchasing 50 more chickens than 2019.
Other events included:
• Meet and greet for vendors and customers considering the purchase of vehicles or equipment
• Corn Hole Tournament
• Multiple fire suppression demonstrations including how to flip an overturned tanker with equipment using just 2 pounds per square in of air pressure
• Family day, which was moved to Sunday; and much more.
~ Photos by Mark Constance and Tracy Constance
Roger Freed and Tracy Constance sold raffle tickets for the Lions club, as well as promoting the Lions BBQ chicken dinners. Despite ordering 50 additional chickens, the club sold out about after just a few hours. 
Bonnie Gallagher and Becky Youncker picked up a salted pretzel as they wandered around the festival. 
Allied Fire Systems was on site with a sharp display. Pictured (l-r) are Brad Ingle, Walter Galczak and Brendan Vansyckle. 
The Gladwin Fire Department was represented at the memorial festival as well. Pictured (l-r) are Greg Alward, Scott Patchin (Owner of CSI), and George Alward. 
Manning the announcers booth was Don Nickel. He is pictured with Judy Crandall and Faye Nickel. 
The Detroit Fire Department was represented by (l-r) Robert Stokes, Robert Masse and Cameron Pichan. 
Servers for this year included (l-r) Emily Rymer, Alicia Sedlacek and Taylor Rymer. 
Serving chicken dinners at the Lions Club were (l-r) Janelle Legg, Chris Allan and Laurie Ritchie.
