About 40 firetrucks expected at Capaha rally

Organizers of Saturday's Capaha Fire Truck Rally say they're expecting up to 40 firetrucks, both new and antique models, to participate in the event.

The community is invited to start the day with a parade at 9:30 a.m., when fire engines throughout Southeast Missouri, including Cape Girardeau County, will proceed down Normal Street toward Capaha Park. Some fire prevention and safety educational opportunities will begin at the park when the parade concludes.

The rally is for all ages, said Dwayne Kirchhoff, East County Fire District chief and chair of the committee organizing the event, but it's also a bonding experience for Southeast Missouri firefighters.

"The whole idea of it is that it brings all the fire departments together," Kirchhoff said. "It's even sparked the interest of some of the younger firefighters who've never gotten a chance to participate."

Kirchhoff, with other Cape Girardeau County Firefighter Association members, planned the rally this year without county firefighter Sam Welker, who had planned the event since 2002. Welker retired this year, Kirchhoff said.

When planning the firetruck rally, organizers decided to stick with many of the event's original activities, including the annual firefighter games. Departments will compete against each other in a tug-of-war event a bed race and a wheelbarrow race, among others. A grand champion trophy will be awarded to the winner this year, which Kirchhoff said is a new component to the games.

"They've given so many points per competition, and at the end who has the most points will be the grand champion," Kirchhoff said.

Whoever wins the trophy will have to return the award at next year's rally and defend their win.

"We have to see so many bad things and this kind of gives everybody a chance to loosen up and have a fun time together," Kirchhoff said.

From 10 a.m. to noon, prior to the firefighter games, Cape Girardeau firefighters will be performing an extrication demonstration and other county firefighters will be showing children and their families through the association's smoke house, which displays how to safely exit a home that's on fire.

There will also be an obstacle course for children around the firetrucks near the park's lagoon.

There is not a second date planned for the firetruck rally if there is inclement weather Saturday.

Check www.semissourian.com for notification of the event's cancellation.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent Address:

1400 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO