The Bellville Volunteer Fire Department invites the community to its 53rd Annual Celebration on Friday, August 15, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Austin County Fairgrounds. This long-running event is a local favorite, and all proceeds from the evening will go toward the purchase of new firefighting equipment.
Guests can enjoy barbecue chicken and sausage with meal service available inside from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., or through a drive-thru line from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Meal tickets are $15 each. Drive-thru traffic should enter via the 529 Gate, while all other traffic should enter through the 159 East Gate.
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In addition to the barbecue meals, a variety of other food and drink options will be available for purchase separately, including homemade hamburgers and hot dogs, beer, soda, cake, pie, and tea.
A raffle drawing will cap off the night at 9:00 p.m., offering great prizes and another way to support the department. Advance meal and raffle tickets are available at FNB Bellville, the ACS Bank Drive-Thru, or from any Bellville Volunteer Fire Department member.
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Why Fundraising Matters
Equipping a single firefighter with the gear needed to safely respond to emergencies can cost close to $28,000. This includes turnout gear ($2,000โ$3,000), a helmet ($300), boots ($300โ$600), gloves ($100), a protective hood ($40), and a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) at around $6,300. Beyond personal gear, the department must also invest in major equipment such as fire engines ($350,000โ$700,000), ladder trucks ($1.2 million or more), Jaws of Life ($10,000+), and thermal imaging cameras (several thousand each). These expenses highlight why community fundraisers are vital to keeping the department ready and well-equipped.
For more information, visit their website or follow @BellvilleVolunteerFireDepartment on Facebook.
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