LOCKE - The bright lights and whirling music of a full blown fair have settled into the fields adjacent to the Locke Fire Department on Route 38.

Starting on Wednesday and running through Saturday, the department is playing host to the 25th annual Locke Fire Department Fireman Field Days.

The celebration, which reached its silver jubilee, is a large fundraiser for the department.

Chief Ray Dyer said the buildings on the department grounds were erected about four years ago, and funds raised from the field days go to support the cost of those buildings, as well as their growth.

“These buildings get a lot of use,” Dyer said. “We (the fire department) use them, but they also have a lot of community uses. We have a farmer's market here, there are dog shows here, we have tractor pulls here, lawn mower races here, a little bit of everything here, it is a place for the whole community to use.”

Recently through their work with the farmer's market, the department was eligible for a grant that paid for the building of new office space, to be used by both the market and the fire department.

Dyer said next on the agenda was the installation of restroom facilities. Each year, Dyer said, the gathering is well attended and while the department doesn't keep an official count, he said things were off to a good start and weather permitting, looked to be shaping up well Thursday night.

“The rain held off for us Wednesday,” Dyer said. “And tonight looks like it is going to be OK too. Hopefully the rain holds off and we can have a really good night.”

As much as the buildings on the department grounds are a community meeting place, so too are the field days.

“I think a lot of people just come down to see other people,” Dyer said. “People can get together and shoot the breeze and get some good food to eat and kick back and relax for the night and just have a good time with their friends and neighbors.”

Many Locke residents said the field days are a tradition, one they attend every year and often, all four nights.

“I come here every year and usually each night,” Dorothy Janke, of Locke, said. “You get to see a lot of people and it is just nice to come down here and hang out with friends and have a good time.”

Inside the main building, volunteers from the department have almost everything under the sun cooking. From traditional summer barbecue staples such as hot dogs and hamburgers to sausage and clams.

Outside, on the midway, there are numerous fair rides and games for the whole family with music provided by DJ Jeff Day. It is this combination of attractions that draw people back every year.

“The food, the games, the music,” Richie Bentley, of Locke, said. “The whole thing is just a good time and it is a good place to come and have some fun.”

The field days continue Friday with gates opening at 6 p.m. and music provided by Jambone and fireworks. It will conclude Saturday with gates opening at noon with music by the Prison City Party Rockers and a parade at 6 p.m.