UNION SPRINGS - The Union Springs Fire Department came to the rescue once again this week - this time at its annual field days.
If the long, hot summer doldrums were starting for some of the local children, they surely put them out with a combination of face painting, candy apples and train rides. The three-day village celebration concluded Saturday with a full day of music, games and food.
For many at the festival, coming to the summer field days has been a family tradition.
"We brought our kids and now we're bringing our grandchildren," Dawn Mitchell said.
This was the 64th field day held by the department, which is now in its 99th year. The fire department consists of 38 members.
"Turnout this year has been excellent," said Garrett Waldren, Union Springs fire chief. "You know we own the fire department building and this land and the funding we make from the field days helps us pay the mortgage and the rest of the bills."
Waldren, who has been with the department 20 years - 16 of those as chief - pointed out next year is the 100th anniversary.
"We're in the planning stages of something special," Waldren said of the 2006 version of field days.
For the smiling children that filled this year's event, nothing could top the rides.
James Arnold, 3, said his favorite ride was "Motorcycle Fun."
"How long have we been coming?" Mike Tumbiolo asked his wife, Pam. She answered since their son, Collen, was 2, which means they're four-year veterans of the festival.
Collen and his brother Even, 4, both agreed, their shoulders bravely held back, the net-climbing was the "funnest."
Although, they conceded, the slide was kind of scary.
"The kids loved the lawn mower races this year," dad said.
"I'm a lifer," Jeff Day said, who brought his 3-year-old son, Jeffrey. "I've been coming since I was a kid; now I've brought my kid.
"The Union Springs firemen are great people," he added.
"They do a great job and everybody here supports them," agreed Michael Howell.
His daughter Mariah, 5, beamed, "The Caterpillar," was her favorite ride.
For many at the festival, coming to the summer field days has been a family tradition.
"We brought our kids and now we're bringing our grandchildren," Dawn Mitchell said.
This was the 64th field day held by the department, which is now in its 99th year. The fire department consists of 38 members.
"Turnout this year has been excellent," said Garrett Waldren, Union Springs fire chief. "You know we own the fire department building and this land and the funding we make from the field days helps us pay the mortgage and the rest of the bills."
Waldren, who has been with the department 20 years - 16 of those as chief - pointed out next year is the 100th anniversary.
"We're in the planning stages of something special," Waldren said of the 2006 version of field days.
For the smiling children that filled this year's event, nothing could top the rides.
James Arnold, 3, said his favorite ride was "Motorcycle Fun."
"How long have we been coming?" Mike Tumbiolo asked his wife, Pam. She answered since their son, Collen, was 2, which means they're four-year veterans of the festival.
Collen and his brother Even, 4, both agreed, their shoulders bravely held back, the net-climbing was the "funnest."
Although, they conceded, the slide was kind of scary.
"The kids loved the lawn mower races this year," dad said.
"I'm a lifer," Jeff Day said, who brought his 3-year-old son, Jeffrey. "I've been coming since I was a kid; now I've brought my kid.
"The Union Springs firemen are great people," he added.
"They do a great job and everybody here supports them," agreed Michael Howell.
His daughter Mariah, 5, beamed, "The Caterpillar," was her favorite ride.
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