July Fire Appreciation and Fun Day in Zortman on Saturday

Of all the things planned at the July Fire Appreciation and Fun Day in Zortman this weekend, the Zortman Volunteer Fire Department Chief is looking forward to a few things in particular during the day-long festivity.

"I am looking forward to people coming together and having a day of thanks that we survived the July Fire and have fun and enjoy the day," said Chief Rod Bolland.

The July Fire started on Monday, July 3 at 4:30 p.m. — a day before Independence Day which is generally a fun-filled day in Zortman. The July Fire forced the people of Zortman to cancel the annual July 4th celebration and then went on to force many Zortman and Landusky residents from their homes as the blaze burned for the next 18 days, reaching 11,699 acres before it was fully extinguished.

This Saturday, September 2, the July Fire Appreciation Day gets underway with a parade at 11:30 a.m. and concludes with live music by Schizoid Johnny (live Rock music) at the Miner's Club starting at 7 p.m. Pinched in between those two events are many things to enjoy.

"We have a pot-luck, kid's games and of course the parade," Chief Bolland said. "But we have also invited fire departments from all around us, particularly those that participated in putting the fire out."

Chief Bolland said that fire crews from the BLM in Zortman, BLM in Lewistown, the BIA, the Hayes fire crews, Phillips County volunteer fire fighters as well as firefighters in Roy, Dodson and Saco have all been invited to town to take part in the celebration.

"Hopefully everyone can come and, provided that it is safe to do so, they will all bring a fire truck to decorate and enter in the parade," Chief Bolland said. "We will also have some prizes for the best decorated fire truck, most unique, and the overall best entry. It's going to be a fun day."

Chief Bolland said that all proceeds from the mid-day auction at the Miner's Club will go to the Zortman Volunteer Fire Department. Other events during the day include Kids Games at Buckhorn Park, starting at 11:30, a Pig Roast and Hotdog Potluck at the Miner's Club (bring a side dish if you can), Stick Horse Races, a cake walk, horse shoe tournament and Dean's Memorial Ice Cream (in memory of Dean who ran the ice cream machine at Zortman Fun Days for 20-plus years. When he passed away, the Dirksen family donated the ice cream machine to the Zortman Fire Department.)

"He was a member of the fire department and we are continuing his tradition of serving ice cream," Chief Bolland said.