BVFD fires things up with 1st Annual Music Festival

Chris Brade (center) and his band members were among the performers that lit up the stage at the BVFD Music Festival. Van There was a hot time in town last weekend, thanks to the Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department, but no flames or smoke were involved. The BVFD hosted their First Annual Music Festival and Dance at Harriman Park on Friday and Saturday evenings, and a good time was in store for all who attended.

The BVFD had gone the extra mile to make sure their guests were able to enjoy the shows in comfort. Golf cart shuttles ran between the parking area and the pavillion, industrial-strength fans were provided and extra restrooms brought in. Additionally, city crews had Harriman Park in tip-top shape, and the Lions Club and Crazy Cajuns were on hand with booths to provide food and drinks for the music fans.

Friday’s lineup included Ricky Calmbach, Jake Hooker and Tommy Alverson. Saturday’s bands were Bo Cox, John Slaughter and Chris Brade, and Buffalo’s own Matt Gonzales took the stage for a couple of numbers.

<< Ryan Read and Kylan Ferguson take a spin around the pavillion at the 1st Annual BVFD Music Festival. As luck would have it, some of the firemen had to slip away on Saturday night to work a wreck. Happily, it was not a major accident and they were back in time to enjoy the next band.

The Buffalo fire department is staffed entirely by volunteers and, at this point, still depends on donations and fundraisers for most of their funding. Contributions have been down since the formation of ESD #4, but the new taxing district has not yet begun to generate support for the fire department. Chief Shaine Reeder shared, “We want to thank everyone that came out and all the sponsors. It was really an incredible show. We’ll definitely do it again next year and you need to come out. You’re not going ANYwhere and see that kind of talent for the price we charged.”

<< Ken and Martha Jones take advantage of the good dance music. Fireman Marshall Robinson summed up, “Friday we had a great turnout. People really came out to hear Jake Hooker. Saturday’s crowd was a little less than hoped for, but all in all we had a good turnout. A lot of people told us they really appreciated us bringing in the talent, and that was really our goal -- to provide something for the community, close by -- a good time on a Friday and Saturday night. We achieved that.”
^^ Jerry Worley and Jo’Shae Ferguson burned up the dance floor -- and won a dance contest during Chris Brade’s show.
John Slaughter takes care of business during his set on Saturday night.
Buffalo’s own Matt Gonzales (BHS Class of ‘07) lays down a tune. Van