March 26, 2018 - Family fun and support of wildland firefighters will come together in a unique mountain community way at the Wildland Firefighter Hootenanny the weekend of Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15. To be held at the Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds, the weekend-long festival and family fire camp will benefit the Wildland Firefighters Foundation. Admission is free.
Saturday’s special events include an official corn hole tournament hosted by the California Corn Hole Association; a ‘Stach & Beard Competition offered by the Fresno Beard and Mustache Club; Fire Spouse of the Year Awards; and a presentation by the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Numerous vendors, a variety of food trucks and a beer garden will be available, and a special fundraising dinner will be catered by Smokehouse 41 Saturday evening. A number of groups will perform music throughout the weekend, headlined by Jason Cruz and the Howl Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
A family fire camp is one of the unique offerings of the weekend. Because wildland firefighters work wherever these fires may erupt, the men and women work hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles away from home. Local fire contractors will provide equipment and other materials that will give families an understanding and the feel of the “mini cities” that serve and accommodate firefighters during the course of a major fire.
Sunday begins at 8:00 a.m. with the 5K Mop Up Fun Run, organized by Yosemite High School student and cross-country runner Gabbi Stegge who chose the run as her senior project as well as a way to support wildland firefighters. Runners will receive Mop Up 5K t-shirts and first
Wildland Firefighter Hootenanny, April 14-15 through third prizes will be awarded in each age division. Registration for the run begins at 7:00 a.m.
Also, on Sunday will be an 8:00 a.m. pancake breakfast to be followed by the Wildland Firefighter Challenge, pitting five-member teams representing different agencies against each other as they take a comedic turn while demonstrating their professional firefighting skills with speed and dexterity.
Hootenanny attendees will also be able to support the Wildland Firefighters Foundation by bidding on a variety of silent auction items. A WFF raffle for firefighters, offering prizes of tools, gear and other items will be held on Saturday.
Gates and the camping area will open Saturday at 9:00 a.m. with festivities beginning at 10:00 a.m. Check in for the Corn Hole Tournament begins at 9:00 a.m., with the competition beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Hootenanny proceeds will benefit the Wildland Firefighters Foundation which honors past, present and future wildland firefighters by providing financial assistance, PTSD support services and other help to the families of fallen and injured wildland firefighters across the country. The WFF maintains the National Wildland Firefighter Monument and educates the public about wildland fires and the men and women who give their lives to protect lands impacted by wildfire.
Full Hootenanny details are available at http://wffhoot.com In addition to more specific information, the web site includes campout reservation forms as well as registration forms and fees for the Corn Hole Tournament, Mop Up 5K Run, ‘Stache and Beard competition and Firefighters Challenge. The Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds are located on Road 415 (44777 Rodeo Grounds Ln.) near Highway 41.
