St. Ignatius fire auction draws hundreds
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ST. IGNATIUS — With 640 plates of barbecue served, the 16th annual St. Ignatius Volunteer Firemen’s Picnic and Auction on June 26 may have been the department’s best-attended event yet, fire department treasurer Fred Gariepy said.
“I think we served more meals than we ever had,” he said.
Volunteer firefighters barbecued buffalo, pork, beef and turkey, which was accompanied by a delicious array of sides for only $5 a plate or $20 per family, one of the best deals around for family food and entertainment. University of Montana mascot Monte the Griz brought plenty of laughs with his antics, and several Griz football players signed autographs and supervised kids’ games while volleyball players offered free face-painting. Plenty of free games offered kids chances to win prizes, while the less competitive could enjoy wagon rides, tour a helicopter or bounce in the moonwalk. Empty fire extinguishers were filled for free, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire offered fire safety information.
And that was all in addition to the auction. Local businesses and community members donated items ranging from handmade furniture to farm equipment that were auctioned off for a gross total of $30,274, Gariepy said. While donations were down slightly from past years, Gariepy credited the community for its continual support of the volunteer firefighters.
“We couldn’t do it without (the community’s) support,” Gariepy said. “(The auction has) turned into a big social event. I believe people really enjoy it.”
The proceeds from the auction will go to upgrade the fire department’s equipment and buy turnout gear, Gariepy said.
The department has 18 members, “but could always use more,” he added.
