by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Many hundreds of people, including entire families, attended the Sauk Rapids Fire Department Open House on Oct. 15, and all kinds of fun activities kept the visitors busy.
Sauk Rapids firefighters and police officers hosted the event. There were free pumpkins given away to children; popcorn; cookies; beverages; grilled meats; bingo; prizes; and lots and lots of balloons.
The warm – but not too warm – fall weather was ideal as visitors strolled on the huge parking lot and in the large fire station. Children, wearing their plastic fire chief hats, delighted in crawling up to sit in the fire trucks. Police officers and firefighters stood in groups and chatted with visitors; others were so busy helping at the activities, they didn’t have much time to visit.
One of the highlights was Sauk Rapids Police Officer Matt Bosma and his K-9 pal, Thunder, an extremely friendly German shepherd who was petted and pampered happily all afternoon by hundreds of eager little hands.
The parked vehicles of the many visitors were lined up for blocks just east of the fire station.
It was, by all accounts, one of the most successful open houses the fire department has ever hosted.
Brothers Anthony (left) and Caleb Clinton of St. Cloud take a break at the pile of giveaway pumpkins Oct. 15 at the Sauk Rapids Fire Department’s Open House. The annual event attracted a huge number of people – mostly families.
Mrs. Minnesota America, Melissa Brenny of Sauk Rapids, gives away hundreds of balloons Oct. 15 at the Sauk Rapids Fire Department’s Open House event.
Ellie Fleming (left) plays passenger, and Sophia Lindquist is the “driver” at the Oct. 15 Sauk Rapids Fire Department Open House. Ellie is the daughter of Sauk Rapids Fire Chief Jason Fleming. Sophia, of St. Cloud, enjoys bringing cookies to area firefigthers. She also has a list of all firefighter’s names so she can pray for them.
Firefighters measure out and cut lengths of string for the hundreds of balloons given away during the Sauk Rapids Fire Department Open House Oct. 15. The firefighters are Bryce Sequin, a “newbie” recruit (left); and Brian Katzberger, a 12-year member of the department.
Three Sauk Rapids police officers enjoy a chat on a fine-weather day Oct. 15 during the Sauk Rapids Fire Department’s Open House. From left to right are Charlie Swiggum and son Jameson, Brent Bukowski and Katy Lund. The police department also participated in the fire department’s annual open-house day.
Firefighter Doug Dingman hands a bag of popcorn to a visitor Oct. 15 during the Sauk Rapids Fire Department’s Open House. Dingman has been a member of the department for 20 years.
Plump pumpkin twins sit nestled in a baby stroller during the Sauk Rapids Fire Department Open House Oct. 15. Free pumpkins were given away at the annual event, along with other prizes and many fun activities. The Sauk Rapids police were also involved with the open house, which drew a huge crowd.
Children enjoy petting a K-9 police helper named Thunder at the Oct. 15 Sauk Rapids Fire Department Open House. The dog’s police “buddy” is Matt Bosma (left), a member of the Sauk Rapids Police Department, which also shared a visible presence at the fire department’s open-house event.
Becky Beuning gives away free Halloween-themed cookies at the Oct. 15 Sauk Rapids Fire Departments’ Open House. Beuning is from St. Cloud, but she works at a dental clinic in Sauk Rapids.
A pair of firefighter boots makes an eye-catching donation site at the Oct. 15 Sauk Rapids Fire Department’s Open House.
