Fire Company Plans Mud Sale Alternative

"The fire company is not having their annual mud sale," said Strasburg Fire Company member Isaac Fisher, who noted that the nearly 50-year tradition was canceled because the event is not advisable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Isaac is enthusiastic, however, about the alternative fundraiser the organization has planned, which will involve sales of chicken barbecue, soup, and sandwiches on the same day the mud sale would have been held. "We have done this before, and we usually sell out," Isaac noted.

On Friday, Feb. 26, the fire company will sell chicken corn soup only by takeout at the station, 203 Franklin St., Strasburg, from noon to 5 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 27, a barbecue, soup, and sandwich sale will feature chicken barbecue meals; chicken corn soup; American sub sandwiches with ham, lettuce, tomato, and onion; and ham and cheese sandwiches on round rolls. All items will be available for takeout on Feb. 27, beginning at 10 a.m. Cash sales will be made on a first-come first-served basis until all the food is sold.

Chicken meals will include a half-chicken, a baked potato, a roll, coleslaw, a whoopie pie, and a beverage for one price. "We will sell gallons and quarts, and we provide the container (for the chicken corn soup)," said Isaac.

Organizers have devised a drive-up system where each car will be met by a volunteer who will take the order, and then the car will move forward for the occupants to receive their order.

In December 2020, the fire company purchased a new piece of equipment called a Tac, a truck-sized apparatus that seats four volunteers, boasts four-wheel-drive, can hold 300 gallons of water, and is fitted with a pump. "We got it for smaller calls," said Amos Fisher, who is co-chairing the fundraiser with Ivan Fisher. "(The idea is) to save wear and tear on the bigger units." Amos said the $300,000 vehicle will be used for trash fires, brush fires, and car fires, among other calls when a full-size fire truck is not necessary. "It's a smaller version of your basic fire engine," said Amos, who noted that some fire company members have wanted a Tac for quite some time, but that the fire company began diligently working toward purchasing one about a year ago. "We figured out this is what we need," said Amos. "We were trying to raise money for a new piece for a couple of years, and this made the most sense for the company."

Isaac stated that he hopes the sale will raise $12,000 to $15,000 that the fire company can use to make up for lost revenue. "We normally make $75,000 from the mud sale, and we have to try to figure out ways to make money in different avenues," said Isaac, adding, "We welcome donations. We appreciate support from our local community, and we are always looking for more volunteers."

Individuals who have questions about the barbecue, soup, and sandwich sale may call 717-687-6223 or 717-847-6334. For more information about the fire company, readers may visit http://www.strasburgfire.com.