Firefighters to create heat at big festival

By MARGIE TRAX PAGE - Staff Writer - mtrax@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

June 26, 2008 10:02 pm

— GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE —If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the way.
Maybe its the atmosphere or the name that conjures images of old, loud sirens and leaky hoses, but the Old Firehouse Winery is the unofficial headquarters of firefighter history, at least in Ashtabula County.
The winery was once an old barn turned firehouse and is now a restaurant and winery situated on the shore of Lake Erie.
To honor that history and to further anchor its place in the world of firefighters and wine lovers, The Landing Festival Marketplace at Geneva-on-the-Lake will host the first Fireman’s Roundup this weekend.
The roundup will include vendors, entertainment, antique fire trucks, a parade and two days of firefighter games, festival coordinator Brook Collin Hall said.
The weekend will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday with a parade down Lake Avenue. The antique fire trucks will be on display all weekend.
“The roundup is based on an event held at the lake in the 1960s that brought firefighters from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Virginia, Maryland, Indiana and beyond,” Hall said. “They converged on the shores of Lake Erie for a weekend of fun and camaraderie.”
The success of the festival was ultimately its downfall.
“The festival became so large that the organizers were unable to continue it,” Hall said.
Hall said the new space created for the Landing makes the festival revival a possibility.
The games, which will take place both days, are open to anyone 18 years or older and will include tug-of-war and a bucket brigade. Trained, fully outfitted firefighters can participate in a water battle with fire hoses.
Registration for the games begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and is $10 per person. The money will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
The American Red Cross will hold the Badges for Blood blood drive. All blood donors will receive a free T-shirt and will be entered into a drawing for a gasoline gift card.
Hall said he anticipates a large turnout for the first Fireman’s Roundup.
“The response from people has been fantastic,” Hall said. “Although we are starting things off modestly, there is no doubt this event will grow into a regional favorite and draw people from all over the northeast.”