Think of it this way: you've got to eat anyway. You might as well give the household cook a break, a day off.

Garden Spot Fire Rescue Station 39 and A Taste of New Holland have got you covered. You could even make it a day date or a date night if you so choose.

"It's a way to get the community together, but we're mainly doing it as a fundraiser," said Wes Kopp, a Garden Spot Fire Rescue Station 39 captain. "It's just nice to make the community happy. Everyone appreciates it."

For local residents, frequenting A Taste of New Holland is also a great way to support Garden Spot Fire Rescue, which provides valuable services to the local community.

This year's edition of the annual event will be conducted from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 24, and from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, in the parking lot of Garden Spot Fire Rescue's headquarters, 339 E. Main St., New Holland. A Taste of New Holland is free to attend, everyone is welcome and donations toward the fire company will be accepted.

Parking for A Taste of New Holland will be available at St. Stephen Reformed Church, 249 E. Main St., New Holland, and golf cart shuttle service to the event will be provided.

"It's a springtime fair," said Kopp. "I just want people to come out and support their local fire company. Every little bit helps."

A Taste of New Holland's namesake originates from the dozen food trucks that will be on hand, providing patrons with a wide assortment of delicious hot and cold dishes. Many of the food trucks are operated by local owners, and most of them are native to the New Holland area.

Friday evening at A Taste of New Holland will feature bingo, other games, and prizes donated by local businesses and individuals. Saturday is country day at the festival and will include a live broadcast by radio station WIOV, country line dancing featuring Boot Scootin Becky from 2 to 4 p.m., and a performance by Clifton Bryan Country beginning at 5 p.m.

For the kids, A Taste of New Holland will offer fire engine rides complete with sirens and flashing lights. Miniature golf will be available to play for kids of all ages.

"I like the small-town community part of it," said Kopp, a resident of New Holland.

More than 500 residents of New Holland and surrounding areas are expected to attend A Taste of New Holland. Last year, Garden Spot Fire Rescue made $14,000 from the event.

"We're looking to make more this year," said Kopp. "The money goes into a general fund and goes toward purchasing gear and tools. We need to do our jobs."

A Taste of New Holland was started in 2020.

"It began with food trucks in our parking lot," said Kopp, "and everyone seemed to love it. Since then, we started getting live music and we added bingo."

Garden Spot Fire Rescue is operated exclusively by volunteers and does not employ workers. The organization is also fully funded by private and individual donations and fundraisers.

Garden Spot Fire Rescue also conducts an annual fund drive through the United States Postal Service, an annual flower sale in April and an annual Christmas tree sale around the holidays.

"A Taste of New Holland is our biggest fundraiser," said Kopp.

In addition to its headquarters, Garden Spot Fire Rescue also operates a West End substation at 624 W. Main St., New Holland, and a Blue Ball substation at 4305 Division Highway, Blue Ball. More than 100 community members are involved in the operation of Garden Spot Fire Rescue, 80 of whom are active running members.

"They're normal people in the community who volunteer countless hours of time," said Kopp. "They're public servants."

Overseen by a nine-member board of directors, Garden Spot Fire Rescue was formed in 2013 through the merger of the former Liberty Fire Company and the Blue Ball Fire Company. Station 39 maintains and operates 10 pieces of apparatus.

"On any given night of the week, you can find someone doing something at the firehouse," said Kopp.

For additional information, go to https://gsfr39.net.