Water fight contests turn up the heat on 52nd Fox Lake Firemen's Fest

Fox Lake residents and firefighters are gearing up to face off in a water battle of epic proportion.

The Fox Lake Fire Department is hosting its 52nd Fox Lake Firemen's Festival starting this weekend. The highlight of the festival is the water fights, said department President Tom Muehfelder.

Each team is equipped with two fire hoses measuring an inch and a half in a diameter with 60 pounds of water pressure. The goal of the battle is to push an empty half-barrel keg across the other team's end line.

The first day of the festival pits fire department teams against each other in the battle.

"There's usually a rivalry between Fox Lake and Lake Villa," Muehfelder said. "It's a fun time."

Muehfelder said when the firefighters battle, they make sure to bump up the water pressure and use a 2-inch hose to make things a bit more interesting.

"You can knock someone over, but they are pretty easy to handle," he added.

Sunday will feature water fights between teams sponsored by local businesses, starting at 10 a.m.

The competition usually features around 30 teams and can last all day.

Each heat is 2 minutes long and teams will fight in a best of three series.

The festival will also feature food from a few local vendors and a cookout put on by the firefighters. There will not be any carnival rides this year, but there will be games for children and a performance by the band Modern Day Romeos on Saturday starting at 8:30 p.m.

"I think the businessmen and women's competition is the best," Muehfelder said. "People are more into that because they are rooting for their friends."

Proceeds from the festival will go toward the volunteer fire department to help pay for new equipment and training.

"We purchase it with the funds instead of the taxpayers having to buy it," Muehfelder said.

<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p>

<p class="News"><b>What:</b> 52nd Annual Fox Lake Fireman's Festival</p>

<p class="News"><b>When:</b> Water fights start at 10 a.m. on both Saturday, July 17, and Sunday, July 18</p>

<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Station #2, on Washington Street in Ingleside</p>

<p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> Admission is free; $5 cover charge for Modern Day Romeos</p>

<p class="News"><b>More info:</b> (847) 587-3312</p>