IN 12 PHOTOS: Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department 58th annual fundraising Chicken Roast - Saturday, July 20, 2024
WBVFD Assistant Chief Joe Balsitis.jpg
With food safety first in mind, Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Deparment Assistant Fire Chief Joe Balsitis checks the internal temperature of grilling chicken halves at the department’s 58th annual chicken roast fundraiser at Edgewater Park in downtown Williams Bay on July 20.
Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department firefighter and trustee Bob Hanson
ABOVE: The nose knows, as hungry Williams Bay residents and visitors make their way to the Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department’s 58th annual fundraising chicken roast on July 20 at Edgewater Park, adjacent to the fire station. A total of 1,200 chicken dinners were served, with event proceeds benefiting the department’s building maintenance and equipment funds. LEFT: It was service with a smile as veteran 59-year firefighter Bob Hanson greeted attendees arriving at the Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department’s 58th annual chicken roast fundraiser on July 20 at Edgewater Park in downtown Williams Bay. Hanson, an elected department trustee, has worked 56 of the department’s 58 annual chicken roasts, missing just two fundraisers while on active duty leave from the department during the Vietnam War. Said Hanson of the popular annual chicken roast benefit, “It’s a lot of fun and a lot of camaraderie. We get a real good turnout. Everybody supports us really well.”
Roasting chickens on the charcoal grill at the 58th annual Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department chicken roast fundraiser
Seasoned chicken halves, 288 at a time, lined the expansive charcoal grill at the Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department's 58th annual chicken roast fundraiser on July 20 at Edgewater Park in downtown Williams Bay. The department's only annual fundraising event, chicken roast proceeds benefit the Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department's building maintenance and equipment funds, with about $10,000 raised annually.
Williams Bay Fire Chief Doug Smith oversees the chicken roast grill
Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Doug Smith oversees grilling operations at the department’s 58th annual chicken roast fundraiser at Edgewater Park in downtown Williams Bay on July 20, with 1,200 chicken dinners served. The popular fundraiser nets around $10,000 annually in support of the department’s building maintenance and equipment funds. Said Smith, “The support is awesome. It means a lot to us.”
Hungry residents and visitors make their way to the Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department's 58th annual chicken roast fundraiser
The nose knows, as hungry Williams Bay residents and visitors make their way to the Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department's 58th annual fundraising chicken roast on July 20 at Edgewater Park, adjacent to the fire station. A total of 1,200 chicken dinners were served, with event proceeds benefiting the department's building maintenance and equipment funds.
Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department EMS Capt. Bill Gluth fills dinner orders on the serving line
Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department EMS Capt. Bill Gluth serves up grilled chicken halves at the department’s 58th annual chicken roast fundraiser at Edgewater Park in downtown Williams Bay on July 20.
Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Kenyon Smith loads more charcoal in the barbecue pits
Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Kenyon Smith adds more charcoal to the grilling pits at Edgewater Park on July 20 during the department’s 58th annual chicken roast fundraiser. The popular annual summertime fundraiser nets approximately $10,000 annually in support of the department’s building maintenance and equipment funds.
Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Gabriel Robbins adds seasoning blend
Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter Gabriel Robbins adds a special secret recipe seasoning spice mix to grilling chicken halves at the 22-member department’s 58th annual chicken roast fundraiser at Edgewater Park in downtown Williams Bay. A total of 1,200 chicken dinners were served at the popular summertime benefit, which raises approximately $10,000 annually in support of the Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department’s building maintenance and equipment funds.
Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department, Geneva Street and Elkhorn Road, downtown Williams Bay
Emergency response apparatus is shown on dispay outside the Williams Bay Fire Department, 5 E. Geneva St. (State Hwy. 67), on Saturday, July 20 during the 22-member department's 58th annual fundraising chicken roast at neighboring Edgewater Park in downtown Williams Bay.
Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Tom Wright with decorated sheet cake
Veteran 54-year Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter Tom Wright shows off a decorated sheet cake commemorating the department’s 58th annual chicken roast fundraiser, held Saturday, July 20 at Edgewater Park in downtown Williams Bay. The cake, purchased through Sentry-affiliated Daniels Foods in Walworth, was baked by Harvard, Ill.-based By the Dozen. A total of 1,200 dinners were served at the department’s 2024 chicken roast.
Weber Family gets carryouts at the 58th annual Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department chicken roast dinner
The Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department served up 1,200 chicken dinners at its 58th annual chicken roast fundraiser, held Saturday, July 20 at Edgewater Park in downtown Williams Bay. Among those attending the chicken roast fundraiser were Spencer, Michelle and Logan Weber of Williams Bay. The popular annual summertime fundraiser raises approximately $10,000 annually in support of the 22-member department's building maintenance and equipment funds.
Turning the chickens at the Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department's chicken roast barbecue pit
The don't call firefighters smoke-eaters for nothing. Williams Bay Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Joe Balsitis (left) and Fire Chief Doug Smith are lost in a haze of smoke as they flip a rack of grilling chicken halves at the 22-member department's 58th annual chicken roast fundraiser, held July 20 at scenic Edgewater Park in downtown Williams Bay. The popular annual benefit dinner raises approximately $10,000 annually in support of the department's building maintenance and equipment funds.
Eric Johnson
Reporter
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