Water fights highlight annual Fox Lake fireman's festival

The Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department's annual festival features music, dancing, food and games, but it's still the water fights that most visitors come to see.

"People really look forward to having the water fights and they really take it seriously," said Tom Muehlfelder, president of the Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department. "It's a good time. The fun and the camaraderie with everybody, seeing the community all together and seeing what we are all about as a volunteer fire department."

The 57th annual festival concluded its two-day run Sunday at the old volunteer firehouse on Washington Street in Ingleside.

Sunday's festivities included a corn roast, fresh brats, carnival games and entertainment. Kids enjoyed a water slide, rock climbing, bounce houses and two days of water fights.

Teams of five firefighters squared off Saturday, using fire hoses to push a small, empty beer keg across a white line. Teams of local businessmen and women competed Sunday, with 14 men's and 5 women's teams participating.