This summer is heating up with all sorts of fun outdoor family events, and kids of all ages won’t want to miss the Pump-In coming up in August featuring the pumping and shooting of water by antique and modern fire apparatus.
The Northern Illinois Fire Museum (NIFM) invites the community to check out the Pump-In from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. August 14 at the museum, located at the south end of the Meyer Material gravel pit (9204 S. Route 23 in Marengo).
In addition to the main event, there will be 10 “firematic” flea markets, museum tours, fire engine rides, kids’ games, static displays of antique fire apparatus, and food and drinks.
“The Pump-In will feature fire trucks – 20-plus years old – drafting water from a pond and shooting streams high over the pond,” said Tom McDermott, secretary and board member of NIFM. “Guests can enjoy a museum tour of 20 pieces of antique apparatus built from 1855 to 1992 – many from towns in McHenry County.
“For city folks, this is a fun day in the country with lots of activities,” he added. “Kids of all ages love fire trucks and will be able to touch, sit in them and take a ride on several of them.”
At just $5 per car, you won’t find a more exciting event for the money, according to McDermott, adding fire truck rides around the pond are only $1.
“We are hosting this event as a fundraiser to help with the annual operating expenses of the museum,” he said. “Expenses include cost for building expenses, insurance and parts, repairs and restoration of the NIFM apparatus.”
This event will be chaired by Dennis Ahrens, retired fire chief of the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and former officer of the Elgin Fire Department. Ahrens is also president of the Chicago 5-11 Club and a NIFM board member. Founded in 2000, there are approximately 50 NIFM members.
>> For more, visit www.nifm.net, call 815-568-8950 or e-mail
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. Read more about the history of firefighting and fire engines in McHenry County here.
Sidebar:
The Northern Illinois Fire Museum strives to:
• Supply a location for a permanent display of fire related equipment of historic value, and to facilitate the temporary or permanent exchange of fire apparatus;
• Serve as an education center on all aspects of the fire service for the communities in Northern Illinois; and
• Furnish a facility for restoring and preserving fire apparatus.
