Capt John McVeigh of the Huntington Fire Department is organizing a bonfire on Nov. 12 to raise money for fireworks next summer. (Photo by Amy Porter)
HUNTINGTON – Caption John McVeigh and the Huntington Fire Association are hoping to bring fireworks back to the town next summer after a ten-year hiatus. The association is looking to raise $25,000 for the fireworks and has many events planned. The first will be a bonfire on Pettis Field on November 12, from 7 to 10 p.m.
“Everybody does things for the fire department. This will be one of the ways to give back to the community, and get community spirit back again,” McVeigh said.
The bonfire, which will be free and open to the general public, will raise money by raffling off prizes that have been provided by local merchants and artisans. Some of the prizes already donated include 2 cords of wood and a ton of heating pellets, rounds of golf at several area courses, a pass to the Blandford Ski Area, and wooden bowls and a painting by local artisans.
There will also be music broadcast on giant speakers, and local vendors selling food. Prizes and other information about the bonfire can be followed on the association’s FaceBook page at Huntington Fire Association MA.
“I’m happy with the people that have come out and donated so much stuff,” McVeigh said.
Parking for the bonfire will be at the Huntington Library. The fire itself will be contained to a 20 foot height, burning pine donated by Sweet Harvest Farm in Westhampton, and hemlock trees. The fire department will have trucks on hand to monitor the burn.
Originally scheduled for October, McVeigh said they moved the date for the bonfire due to concerns from the Little League about the impact on the field where they play.
“They had some really valid concerns. It’s understandable. We worked with them to a valid conclusion,” McVeigh said.
Other activities that the Association is considering include a car show and giant slip & slide fundraiser, in addition to more boot drives.
McVeigh, who is also a selectman in town, imagines the fireworks will be held in late summer as part of an annual town festival to raise money for the Fire Association which is looking to buy new equipment, specifically a search and rescue drone.
“We get a lot of search and rescue calls out in the woods,” McVeigh said, explaining that the drone could save critical time and money. He said the drone would be a regional piece of equipment that could be used by other towns.
McVeigh says the last bonfire he remembers in the town was in the mid-90’s.
“The only thing that will cancel it is heavy rains or heavy winds,” McVeigh said.
