Rides and water fights at Fox Lake's 51st Fireman Festival fundraiser

Unseasonably cold temperatures and gray skies Sunday afternoon didn't dampen enthusiasm for water fights at the 51st Fox Lake Firemen's Festival.

Men's and women's teams battled before spectators who crowded around what essentially becomes a water fight arena behind the Fox Lake Volunteer Fire Department's station on Washington Avenue near Ingleside.

With guard rails on each side of the playing area, an orange, empty beer half-barrel was placed at a center line for the matches. The goal was for teams to aim water from two fire hoses at the barrel and get it across the opponent's end line.

Participants can't be hit by the barrel. If that happens, the other team wins.

Team Mineola was among the contestants in the water fights. Chris Warsow, 33, of Fox Lake, joined the fun for the first time by working a nozzle as one of five team members.

Warsow and three other guys were positioned closest to the barrel. He said success is achieved by aiming the water toward the bottom of the barrel.

"You've got to keep it (the barrel) in front of you at all times," Warsow added.

As Warsow and the others handled duties in front, Eddie Calhoun, 39, of Fox Lake, was in charge of directing the fire hoses from the rear.

Calhoun made sure he moved in sync with the others, holding the two hoses as high as possible for better water pressure. He also was responsible for not allowing any kinks in the hoses.

Holding two fire hoses aloft isn't easy work, said Calhoun.

"If you're out of shape and you're 39 years old, you feel it," Calhoun said with a laugh.

Trophies were awarded to the top four finishers. A gag trophy was presented to the worst squad.

In addition to the water fights, Sunday's event final offered food, beer, raffles and amusement rides. Proceeds from the festival and ticket sales help the volunteer fire department with equipment, supplies and training costs.