Lafayette celebrates with Fire Department

Lafayette FD marks its Centennial

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

LAFAYETTE -- The main street of Lafayette was a really cool place to be Saturday afternoon during the Lafayette Fire Department's Centennial celebration.

That's when three-firefighters teams from Kasota, Lafayette, Winthrop, North Mankato, Courtland and Nicollet squared off in rousing -- and very wet -- Firefighters' water fights.

When the fire hoses had been turned off, Kasota's two teams took the first-place trophy and second place in the men's division, and its women's teams took first and second place in their division. And in the fire chiefs' battle, it was Dale Krohn of Nicollet taking first place.

Then, it was the annual Lafayette Lions Corn/Hog Roast, followed by the Blue Ringers of New Ulm playing for the department's street dance Saturday night.

The Centennial festivities wind up today with a 114-unit parade, featuring radio personality Roger Erickson as grand marshal starting at 1 p.m., followed by a mini-rod tractor pull and the music of the Northside Dutchmen.

The "celebration weekend" opened Friday evening with displays of old fire equipment at the fire station where the Concord Singers of New Ulm performed at 8 p.m.

A raffle drawing, described as "very successful" by NFD fireman Leon Portner, followed the Concords' concert. This was followed by dancing to a DJ, "Grack 'n' Roll."

Saturday's activities started at 9 a.m. with the firefighters horseshoe tournament. Kids' games, like mini-golf, the "dunk" tank, beer-barrel tram rides and fire truck rides all started at 1 p.m.

These events were followed by kids' water fights, and the arrival of the "Mayo 1" Air Ambulance helicopter. And, of course, there was face-painting booth for kids of all ages.

Meanwhile, visitors could tour the Minneapolis Builders Association Parade of Homes Safe Escape House which featured scenarios on how to escape from situations which could arise in a home.

Soft-covered books commemorating the fire department's 100 years in Lafayette, as were T-shirts and caps carrying the fire department logo.

"We felt that we should do something special to commemorate our 100 years of existence," Portner said. "We missed out last year because it was the city's Centennial, but not ours. I don't know how the town got along for one year without a fire department."