Hilton Fire Department hopes
for good weather and big crowds

Annual carnival begins July 27

As they get ready for the upcoming carnival, there won't be a single firefighter who complains about the heat and humidity. They know it could be worse. With the Hilton Firemen's Carnival a week away, July 27-30, Nancy Kress, an EMT with the department, said she is thrilled with the steamy weather forecast.

Just a year ago, a serious downpour threatened the annual festival. The skies opened up Friday evening during the carnival and the rains saturated the ground to the point where standing water was everywhere. Thinking on their feet, the members of the fire department had dump trucks deliver 12 truckloads of wood chips, which were then spread throughout the carnival area.

Through a massive volunteer effort the carnival continued.

"Some of the carnival workers said they had never seen anything like that," Kress said, Unfortunately, those heroic efforts turned out to be only a dress rehearsal for what was to come.

The September 9, 2004 flood placed the fire hall in a state of emergency for more than a month and destroyed the carnival grounds. "We had all new appliances floating down the creek," Kress said. "Refrigerators were stuck under the bridge and I found a picnic table 15 feet in the air stuck in a tree."

With extensive damage at the Village II apartment complex and people in need there, the department could give little attention to the state of affairs at the fire hall.

Repairing and rebuilding the site took hundreds of hours. The dunking booth had to be rebuilt from scratch, several booths had to be repaired. These efforts were in addition to all the work needed to repair the hall where water was four feet high, emergency supplies were ruined and electricity was lost.

"It was a devastating year for the fire department," Kress said. "I don't think anyone realized how displaced we were."

The rains from last year make the need for hot weather and hot ticket sales even more important. The carnival is the major fundraiser for the all-volunteer department each year.

"We rely so heavily on these four days," said Kress. Proceeds generally go toward the cost of equipment and training.

What to expect...

While each year's carnival tries to be bigger and better than the year before, there is also an effort to maintain traditions. The Kiddie Parade will kick things off Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The Firemen's Grand Parade is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. The Red Cross will also be set up at the Exempt Hall from 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Rides will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and at noon Saturday. Rides for this year's festival will again be provided by Carol Streams Amusements and one-price ride passes will be available. The pay one-price special is $20, but $5 off coupons are available on the back page of this edition of Suburban News and The Herald as well as on the department's site at hiltonfd.org. Saturday's passes can be purchased for noon to 6 p.m. or 6 p.m. to midnight.

The carnival will continue its partnership with WBEE 92.5 FM. This year the station will add a scavenger hunt Wednesday evening that provides a cash give-away. The Hilton Zoo will provide live entertainment, adult beverages, and great food.

There will also be opportunities to win big with Nevada pull-tabs, Black Jack, Over/Under, Beat the Dealer and Big Six.

Let us entertain you ...

The following is a rundown of the live entertainment available in the 'zoo' area:

•Wednesday - 9 p.m. Hot House

•Thursday - 9 p.m. Reporter

•Friday - 9 p.m. Jim Lane followed by Catch 22

•Saturday - Noon to 5 p.m. A Country Jamboree featuring JB & Company, Julie Dunlap Stampede, Double Cross

•9 p.m. - 7th Heaven