Fox Lake Fireman's Fest returns this weekend

The annual Fox Lake Volunteer Fireman's Festival returns to Washington Street in Fox Lake this weekend with an outdoor music concert and water fights.

Tom Muehlfelder, president of the Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department, said the two-day festival is set for Saturday, July 21, and Sunday, July 22, at the Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department bingo hall, 114 Washington St.

The event kicks off Saturday with the fireman's waterfights scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m., Muehlfelder said.

The waterfights will take place on Washington Street and access to the roadway will be closed during the event.

Jelly Bone Blues Band and Paper Airplanes of Fire will provide musical entertainment and take the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday. The group will play until the event ends at midnight, he said.

The festival restarts at 10 a.m. Sunday and runs through 6 p.m., with the businessmen and businesswomen waterfights kicking things off at noon. Registration for the waterfights begins at 10 a.m., Muehlfelder said.

The festival will also feature carnival games, refreshments and food as in years past.

In previous years, the event was held behind Fox Lake Fire Station No. 2 at 302 W. Washington St., Muehlfelder said, but was moved in 2011 so it would no longer affect Fox Lake Fire Protection District operations at one of the primary fire stations.

Money raised from the two-day event goes to help fund education and supplies for firefighters at the Fox Lake Fire Protection District, Muehlfelder said. It also helps fund charity events in Fox Lake.