MichiganFiremen’sMemorialFestival

September 14-17, 2023

Schedule of Events

Thursday September 14th 2023

10 am Vendor Check-in and set-up. (call or text 989-275-5880 for an earlier time)

12 noon Vendor’s choice to open booth

4 – 8 pm “Family Night “ (no Longer Sunday)

Activities for Children teaching about Firefighting

Shows, Demonstrations, and hands-on fun things to do showing Fire prevention.

Friday September 15th 2023

9 am Vendor Check-in and set-up.

12 noon Vendor’s to open booth (no supply vehicles allowed on Grounds after noon)

2-12 pm Refreshments in Big Red Barn

(Must have Picture I.D.)

4 4-8 pm Bouncy Houses for Children

4-7 pm Registrations in the Command Post Waterball Registration Search and Rescue Registration

Bright Light Competition (Showdown)

4 pm Exercitation Training

7pm Bright Light Competition

(Judging begins Stay with your car)

9 pm Bright light 911 Memorial Parade

(only Lights Please Walkers may assemble at the corner of Fifth Steet and M-18 Lake sat)

8 pm –Midnight Music and Dancing in the Big Red Barn

(Badge required; Must be 21 with picture ID.)

Antique Fire Truck Display

Saturday September 16th 2023 9:00 AM

Everyone Welcome !

The Michigan State Firemen ’s Association Would like you to attend Memorial Services at the Memorial site on Robinson Lake Rd Along with the Service will be placing of Memorial wreaths by Loved ones, Friends, Departments, and other Civic and Service clubs.

Saturday September 16th 2023

9 am Parade Registration (if not preregistered)

12 noon Fire Equipment Parade Starts (route on M-76/Fifth St. though town to Ballanger)

Parade ends at Training Grounds with Flag Raising Immediately

12 noon Big Red Barn opens ( picture ID required)

1 12:30 pm Search &Rescue Competition Begins 12:30 pm Extrication Demonstration Begins

1:30 pm Waterball Competition Begins

1:30 Gray Towing Demonstration ( time may vary)

3:00 pm Gold Badge Auction (in Big Red Barn)

4 pm Fire Burns and Demos (at Gas Maze in back)

8 pm $1000 Raffle Drawing (winners announced)

8 pm -Midnight Music, Dancing, & Cornhole in the Big Red Barn

( Badge required; Must be 21 with picture ID.)

Events and Attractions All week end

Fire and Rescue Equipment Sales

Gray’s Air Cushion & Truck up righting Classes for Firefighters

Trolley rides (to site) until 4 pm Saturday Bouncy Houses for Children

Fire training Trailer for Children Free Rustic Camping

Vendor Sales (misc. items)

Firefighter Training Videos

Burning Demos

MFMFC Souvenirs

Sunday September 17, 2023 Pancake Breakfast 8 am Gone in the Big Red Barn

Sponsored By Higgins Twp. Fire Department

2023 Parade Marshal: William Foster

William (Bill) Foster’s parents were cattle farmers in Delta Township, Eaton County, Michigan. He went to school there and started college at Lansing Community College. He joined Delta township Volunteer Fire Department, where he held many ranks including Assistant Chief. Bill retired from Delta Fire Department after 27 years of service. Bill and his wife Joan have been married for 56years, raising two (2) sons, and having seven(7) grandchildren.

Mr. Foster began working for the Reo Motor Car Company in 1965. Reo made the transition to Diamond Reo Truck and then went bankrupt in May 1975. By that fall, a group of exReo personnel started to build trucks as a subsidiary of Form Rite in Charlotte, Michigan. Just a little over a year later, a group of businessmen got together and backed Spartan officers: George Sztykiel, Gerald Geary, John Knox, and William Foster. They formed an industrial development corporation backing Spartan so they could acquire a Small Business Administration loan to build the first plant at 1000 Reynolds Road.in Charlotte.

The first chassis was manufactured by Spartan in 1975. It had an FMC cab trimmed out and installed by Spartan and then delivered to FMC. The proud owner of the first rig was the Covington (OH) Fire Department. The Apparatus returned to Charlotte, Mr. Foster, and Spartan in 2014. It is on display as the OL’ No.1 (see picture below of Bill and his wife Joan.)

Mr. Foster has always been a mainstay in the fire service. Safety has always been a priority with Bill. He believes the best way to be safe is to be well trained. Bill has supported many distinct types of training. One of his pet projects was with SimTech which created Driving Simulators. It worked through computers and big screens and with the inside of a Spartan Cab, you actually feel like you are driving a fire truck. There are different scenarios for the driver to test their ability. Spartan and Bill Foster have been involved in Firefighter Safety since the very start. They also brought these simulators to our Festival and ran a driving competition. (above Bill is presenting a plaque to the highest scorer)

Bill ’s most memorable event happened in the wake of 911. After the Twin Tower collapsed, there was a lot of equipment damaged and buried. Spartan associates and suppliers donated labor and materials to build this engine. It was sent to the New York Fire Department, but it was never put in service. It was instead placed in the caisson division where it was used to transport firefighters to their resting place placing their names on the rear doors. When Hurricane Sandy hit the city, the engine was completely submerged setting in the city yard. It was sold as scrap to a scrap yard in New Jersey. The scrap yard owner contacted Spartan. They purchased it back in 2015 and proceeded to repair and refurbish the engine. It was restored to its original condition. Pictured on the next page, it is remembrance of 911.

Even after 60 years, you will still find Mr. Foster driving a Fire Chassis to a Fire Show, parking the vehicle, and then sitting on the front bumper. Talking to his many friends, customers, and explaining features of the Spartan chassis and equipment.

Many people of the Fire Services, Members of the Michigan State Firemen ’s Association, and the members of Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival Committee extend their upmost respect to William “Bill ” Foster. We also would like to thank you for your support and continued generosity..

Michi gan Firemen ’s Memorial Festiv al Parade

12:00 N oon

Following Me mo rial Se rvice

Departm ent/ Community Name

FIRE TRAINING GROUND VENDORS AND LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS are in front pending positioning at the Festival Grounds and Emergency Dispatch. Fill out all information as listed as it helps placement. You will be contacted with your position and directions.

Complete and r etur n r e gistr ation for m 1 week pr ior to event : Mail to: Sue Jock, 11218 Steckert Bridge Rd. Roscommon, MI 48653

Email to: sue.jock@gmail.com

Fax: 989-275-9252

I If you have not been notified about you position you must Register the day of the Parade. Registration is on Lake St (M -18) acr oss from the Cour t House starting at 8:00 am on the day of the parade.

Parade line up ONLY IF REGISTERED and have received your position, is along M-76 starting at Huntington Bank

Email Questions to: sue.jock@gmail.com ENTRY:

2: entry if necessary, Including a business Card is helpful.