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Firemen’s Memorial Festival to kick off

By DON NICKEL

The Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival Committee (MFMFC) is anxious for the third weekend in September to arrive. 

The 42nd Annual Festival is scheduled for Sept. 17-19.

The festival last year was like many other Festivals canceled because of coronavirus. The festival committee also had to cancel two other fundraisers as well. This created a void in funds and a need to reconsider some of the events of this year’s festival.

Firemen Memorial Festival

Thursday night was always “Family Night.” This has been moved to Sunday afternoon. Thursday this year will be a “meet and greet” for the vendors to set up. The festival itself will start on Friday at noon.

Other changes for 2021 include:

  • Bouncy Houses instead Carnival Rides
  • Addition of a Cornhole Tournament
  • Re-location of the Higgins Lake-Roscommon Lions Chicken Barbeque to its traditional space at the front gate
  • New vendors

If you haven’t been to the festival before. MFMFC has also created a raffle to supplement the missed fundraisers. Tickets are $5 each and the drawing will be at 8 p.m. in the Bid Red Barn on Saturday, Sept. 10.

The first prize winner will get a $1,000; second, $500 and third place, $300. Tickets are available now and will remain on sale up until the time of the drawing from any committee member, of the Higgin Lake-Roscommon Chamber of Commerce. Some old favorite events are still going to occur. The festival will still have:

“Old Time” favorites include:

  • Bright Light Competition
  • Friday night 911 Silent Parade
  • Saturday Fire Equipment Parade
  • Water ball battles
  • Search and Rescue at the Smokehouse
  • Burn Demonstrations on the gas maze; and weather permitting, a medical helicopter. 

MFMFC will also be selling badges for door prizes being given away and the official souvenir booth will be open.

Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m., The Michigan State Firemen’s Association will host the Memorial Services commemorating those that gave all to help others. Since the services were not held last year there will be more than 200 names added to the Memorial Wall and below the statue. Those names added below the Statue signifies a “Line of Duty Death”.

MFMFC is inviting everyone to the ceremony. 

“We are inviting everyone,” said a committee spokesperson. “We ask that if you and your family come to join us at the festival, please be safe and considerate to the brave men and women that often work to save the lives of others. 

Please follow the Center for Disease Control recommendations while at the festival. There are both outside event and inside activities. Please feel free to “Mask UP” for the safety of you and others. 

Watch for the festival schedule or pick up a program book at the Higgins Lake-Roscommon Chamber of Commerce (701 Lake Street), Up North Voice offices in Roscommon (709 Lake Street) and Mio (201 Morenci), or at many locations across Michigan. A digital copy of the festival guide, as well as a complete schedule of events is available at firmensmenorial.com.

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