KENT, Conn.—A new event that will bring first responders and the public together for a fun-filled day is set for Saturday, Aug. 9.
The first annual Firefighter’s Muster, a benefit for the town’s firefighters and first responders, will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association.
The event is held in conjunction with the Kent Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Kent Sidewalk Sale Days, which will run from Thursday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 10, downtown.
The Town of Kent, Kent Dentistry & Implants, Kent Green, and Highwatch Recovery Center join CAMA as a sponsor of the muster.
“We wanted to do something for the first responders,” said Ellen Corsell, vice president of the Kent Chamber of Commerce. “The first responders are the most amazing people in the world.”
Given first responders’ multiple duties responding to emergencies, they may not often have time to bond outside of the stressful situations, Corsell related.
“What we realized is that most of first responders get together when they’re in a crisis situation and they work with that level and type of stress,” she said. “We thought it’d be nice to let them get together and play and have lighthearted fun and competition.”
The muster will consist of friendly competitions among local fire departments. As of this posting, four departments — Sharon, Cornwall, and Kent fire departments, and Water Witch Hose Co. #2 from New Milford — are set to compete. All area municipal aid firefighters were invited to compete, Corsell said.
All four confirmed teams will walk away with some funds, Corsell said, citing numerous local sponsors. First place is $1,000.
“The goal is to raise money for them,” Corsell emphasized of the day’s activities.
In addition to local firefighter competitions, the muster will feature the New England States Veterans Firemen’s League, a group that will bring old-fashioned hand-pumped pumpers to the CAMA grounds.
The public is invited to join the teams that will compete, shooting water as far as they can across a field.
Kids’ activities will also be offered throughout the day and fire hats and ice cream gift certificates to 45 on Main will be handed out at various children’s events.
“We hope to get [the kids] excited about the fire department and first responders, too,” Corsell said. “We need the next generation to get involved.”
Local businesses and organizations actively supported the idea of the muster, with many providing sponsorships.
Food and soft drinks, provided by Highwatch, will be available.
Admission to the event at CAMA, located at 31B Kent Cornwall Road, is by donation.
Corsell emphasized the purpose of the event to “promote awareness of the importance of first responders, to give everyone a fun day, to raise money for [the first responders’] organizations, and to have a fun party.”
