The Waupaca Fire Department is holding a new event this year.
It is a 5K run/walk called the 5Alarm Dash, and it will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Swan Park.
The run/walk is replacing the dance the department previously held.
“We decided not to do the dance at the end of last year,” said Andrew Whitman, who is a member of the fire department.
For years, the department held a dance at the Old Armory, featuring a polka band.
About 10 years ago, the fire department moved the dance to Swan Park and brought in different bands.
“It was very successful in the beginning. We formed a new committee and were looking for ideas,” Whitman said.
Around the same time, Keith Snyder, of Farmers State Bank, approached the department.
“One of the ideas was doing a run. We were trying to find an event to get the community involved, something to benefit the community and benefit the department,” Synder said.
A run/walk was the perfect fit.
He said the bank always gives donations to the fire department, and he and others involved in the planning are runners.
“It was a good fit for us to do,” Synder said.
Whitman said, “It should be a good community event. We hope to get a lot of people involved.”
Registration is taking place online at http://Race360.com/19277 with a fee of $20.
The organizers recommend people register early to receive a tech race shirt.
Shirt pick ups will take place from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, through Friday, Sept. 6, at Farmers State Bank’s main location, 112 W. Fulton St.
People will also be able to pick up their shirts on the day of the event.
The gates will open at 8 a.m. on Sept. 7. People may also register on the day of the race, up until 9 a.m. The fee that day will be $25, and shirts will not be guaranteed.
The 3.1-mile run/walk will begin at 10 a.m. Pets will not be allowed.
The route will incorporate country roads and the trail which runs through Swan Park.
Awards will be given to the overall male and female winners and to the top three finishers in each age group.
“It will be a timed event, but it is more of a community get together,” Synder said. “We’d like to get a lot of walkers, It’s a family thing.”
Whitman agreed and said the event will end at 2 p.m.
In addition to Farmers State Bank, O’so Brewing Company is also a sponsor of the event.
The post-race party will include food and one free O’so beer for those age 21 and older who want one, with a free non-alcoholic beverage for all other participants.
“It will not be a big ruckus. We want it to be a family event,” Whitman said, noting a Waupaca native is one of the owners of the Plover microbrewery.
The annual Waupaca Fireman’s raffle will be drawn at noon.
A total of 450 tickets are being sold at $50 each.
The top prize will be $5,000, with 10 other money prizes.
Tickets are available from area firemen.
“Last year was the first time we did it that way. It worked out well,” Whitman said. “We try to do a community event which benefits us. Fortunately, the community always supports us. We’re thankful to have community support. Bring your family.”