Cary Fire Protection District Water Fights A Huge Hit

Cary Fire Protection District keeps it cool with water fights on Saturday; nearing the end of the waterfight season.

With a turnout that's dependent on the weather, the event brought in approximately $500 through donations and concession sales, with proceeds benefiting the Cary Firefighters Association's scholarship and community needs program.

The annual event began with a moment of silence for 9/11.

Reverend Donald Erickson of in Cary gave a heartfelt speech and Brandy Martel followed by singing a beautiful national anthem.

was competing against neighboring fire departments such as Fox River Grove, Wilmot (IL), Trevor (WI), and Wheatland (WI) with the fire department's hoses and equipment. 

The two referees were Cary Chief Jeff Macko and President of the Cary Fire Board, Corky Carlson. Greg Case of the CFPD said, "They used to water fight back in the 1970s."

"This event was very popular back in the day. In the 70s, 80s and early 90s, every weekend, sometimes two days in a row there would be waterfights," Case explained.

 "The water fights are good competition, good rivalry. It's all about the camaraderie," Case said.

The Trevor firefighters of Wisconsin took first place in the competition. They earned the Cary Firefighters Association traveling trophy for winning the water fights this year.

They get to keep the traveling trophy for one year until next season when they will bring it back for the next winner.

The trophy was made over 30 years ago in memory of Carl "Pappy" Cassell (7/24/09-5/23/78) and has been traveling since.

Wilmot came in second, Cary came in third and Wheatland came in fourth this year.

There is one final waterfight event for the season coming up on Oct. 8 in Marengo.