Fire department hosts football party

BARKHAMSTED — The Pleasant Valley Volunteer fire department hosted its 15th annual Super Bowl Party at Barkhamsted East Firehouse on Sunday, Feb. 7.

At 5 p.m., when the party started, the line was out the door and cars were parking all along North Canton Road, as sports enthusiasts and supporters of the fire department filed in for snacks and dinner before watching the game on big screen projectors. 

Edward Connors, a Barkhamsted fire department member of 21 years, said the event has always been a popular draw.

“Every year seems to get a little bit bigger, a little bit better,” Connors said.

He added that the event usually attracts anywhere from 125 to 140 people, but with this year’s ticket sales, they anticipated even more. “We were worried about not having enough space,” Fire Department Chief, James Shanley said. “We’ve been selling tickets door-to-door since the first of the year. It’s the only fundraiser we do all year, and it provides funds for things that aren’t covered in our regular budget, such as uniforms, and extra tools.”

This year, they have sold nearly 800 tickets, their oldest member having sold over 300 himself. Door ticket prizes included television sets, smoke detectors, and a free septic cleaning from Russ’s Septic Service.

“We also do an on-site raffle, we give prizes away during half-time, that people can take home with them today,” Connors said. “Everything is donated from local businesses, and we are very grateful to them.”

All of the food for the Super Bowl party was provided by members of the fire department and their friends and families.

“They do the shopping a couple days before, then they come up early in the morning and start cooking,” Connors said. “It’s great food.” The menu included popular fan favorites, such as lunch meats, sandwiches, grinders, pasta with meatballs, buffalo and teriyaki wings, hot dogs, chili, pulled pork and more. 

“It’s a good community event,” Connors said.” We actually have a lot of people who come just to see friends, and sometimes people don’t get to see them more than once or twice a year, this being one of those times. It’s a lot of people talking, having conversation, and enjoying the company of the community. We have a good time.”

The fire department is currently accepting applications for volunteers at www.barkhamstedfiredistrict.org, their junior program is for ages 14 and up, and adult program for 18 and older.