The Pine River Fire Department will hold its 12th annual pig roast event on Saturday, Sept. 24. Activities run from 1-11 p.m. at the fire station, N1622 Range Line Rd.
The Pine River Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 2005. The township budgets $35,000 a year toward the department’s expenses, which covers the essentials of maintaining the department. The annual pig roast has played a big role in helping the department purchase items above and beyond what is budgeted by the town, Fire Chief John Uttech said.
In the past fundraiser money has paid for half of a tender truck, half of a rescue truck, a trailer for the department’s six-wheel ATV and work on the communications tower.
At this point, the department is looking ahead toward a new engine and SCBA gear.
“There are a lot of things we’d love to assist the town in purchasing,” Uttech said.
A huge raffle with lots of valuable prizes has been a hallmark of the pig roast event. For a third year, a brand new Polaris ATV is being offered as a grand prize and ticket. As always, the raffle also features a host of other big ticket items including guns, Packers tickets, special packages and cash prizes.
Food and refreshments will be served starting at 1 p.m. with live music by Bernie Thompson from 1-4:30 p.m. and The Dukes from 7-11 p.m.
The event featured a spectacular fireworks show at dusk last year, and an even better show is promised this year. The children’s fire safety house will return, as will the Aspirus Medevac helicopter, weather permitting.
Uttech said the department is grateful for the community’s support of its fundraising efforts. Numerous businesses and individuals contribute prizes for the raffles and the event always has a big turnout.
“The community has been awesome,” Uttech said.