June 14, 2009

Festival breaks attendance record

       Unlike last year, Friday at White River Township Fire Department's Strawberry Festival enjoyed calm weather and a fantastic turnout, according to Craig Zollars, the department's Public Relations officer.  "Saturday, however, was a slightly different story", he added.  A thunderstorm popped up just in time to quash the dinner crowd.  Outside that brief shower, attendance was otherwise up from any previous year.  Rain is definitely not something new for the festival though.  In fact, it has rained on all but two of the weekends in the event's seventeen year history.

         The rest of the festival went on as planned with the various displays and shows put on by the fire department.  Among the favorites are the fireworks and the Extrication Demonstration.  The Extrication Demonstration simulates a serious traffic accident where a victim is trapped inside.  With a step-by-step narration of what is going on, firefighters use various tools and equipment, including the Jaws of Life, to remove the car from around the victim.  Meanwhile, the simulated Incident Commander summons LifeLine medical helicopter from Methodist Hospital, which is called and then actually flown to the scene.  The 'incident' is concluded when the simulated victim is placed in the helicopter and is transported to the hospital.  The entire show, conducted in near real-time, was completed in under fifteen minutes, which showcases the extremely efficient EMS system that is in place.

         There were plenty of other activities that went on including static fire apparatus and the Johnson County Command Unit, antique fire apparatus and other automobiles on display, HAM radio operators, the Department of Natural Resources water rescue team, and a Blood Drive by the Central Indiana Blood Center.  The event was closed out as usual by a twenty-minute fireworks show by the International Fireworks Merchandisers, who also put together the annual Sky Concert display on Labor Day weekend last year.

         Although the weekend was a huge success, it could not have been possible without the generous donations of time, money, and supplies by the many individuals, vendors, and other companies who participated.  A very special thanks goes to the Center Grove School Corporation for the use of the school.  The entire festival is paid for by revenues charged for the food items along with donations.  Any surplus generated is placed back into the next year's event either through new equipment purchases or additional entertainment. 
 

           

           

           

           

           
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