Firemen’s Ball a favorite tradition

KENT — For more than 100 years, residents have enjoyed the Kent Volunteer Fire Department’s Firemen’s Ball. This year’s event will be held Saturday at the KVFD firehouse, 28 Maple Street.

The ball has been hosted in many different locations in town beginning at the Kent Community House, then to Kent Center School and South Kent School, according to members. At the Kent School, the ice hockey rink was transformed into an event hall. Later it was held outside of Kent Town Hall; eventually, the ball was moved to the firehouse on Maple Street, where it has been held outside under a tent and inside the bays that usually are home to the firetrucks and ambulances. Decorations always transform the venue into a magical evening, members said.

The Firemen’s Ball always includes an evening of dinner, fun, dancing, food and community. This year’s menu includes roast beef, cooked in the time-honored tradition of the late Bill Tobin all-day, open-pit style, with a vegetarian option, as well as side dishes, members said.

The event also includes a variety of prizes offered through drawings. This year’s prizes include an outdoor adventure package, a Joy Brown sculpture, a writing table by Elizabeth Place of Berkshire Place tables, along with a health and wellness package. The traditional basket of cheer will also be available.

The ball is BYOB with the rest will be taken care of by KVFD volunteers. Music is being provided by DJ Lavish Soule, also known as Leanne Soule, who grew up in town.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with dinner served at 7 p.m. and dancing until 11 p.m.

Tickets are $40 per person in advance online www.kentfire.org/ball and $50 at the door. Email theball@kentfire.org for more information.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo The Kent Volunteer Fire Department’s Firemen’s Ball is scheduled for tonight at the firehouse.