The line in front of the Big Lake Fire Department began forming at 10:45 a.m. for rides in a fire truck, and Big Lake Fire volunteers were ready.  

BL Firefighters arrived at 8 a.m. on Sat. Oct. 18, to eat breakfast burritos with their families before setting up for the BLFD Annual Open House.  The open house was scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Captain Sam Hanson said they expected between 1,200-1,400 people, though as the day progressed, he admitted that number might be low. 

At 11 a.m. firefighters delivered 168 pizzas from Domino’s Pizza and served soda purchased at Coborn’s.  Both businesses supported BLFD by offering the department sizable discounts.  Coborn’s donated 50% of the soda that would be served for the day.  A local restoration company — 24 Restore — donated 480 pumpkins from Beck’s Nursery.  

Children visited stations around the Fire Department trying to collect three or more stamps to receive a free pumpkin.  They put on gear, learned about gas and electric safety, planned, practiced, and prepared, and went outside and visited members of the Big Lake Police, MN State Patrol, DNR, and CentraCare EMS.

Throughout the afternoon, families could be seen lugging big orange pumpkins around the firehouse and parking lot.  The official name for the pumpkin giveaway is “Pete’s Pumpkin Patch,” named after retired firefighter Pete Ahrens, who served from 1987-2017. Ahrens grew pumpkins for the annual event and before the open house, firefighters would go out to his farm and pick pumpkins to give away. 

Outside the firehouse, members from the MN State Patrol, Big Lake Police Dept., the DNR, CentraCare, and the Sherburne County Mounted Patrol were on-hand to answer any questions the public had for them. 

“It’s not just a Big Lake Fire Open House, but a public safety expo,” said Hanson.

Perhaps the biggest event of the day, aside from the landing of the Life Link III helicopter, was a controlled burn sponsored by family-owned Lindstrom’s Restoration.  The demonstration emphasized the concept, “Close before you doze.”  Close your bedroom door at night to prevent fire from spreading throughout the home.   Lindstrom’s, based in Plymouth, MN, provides the demonstration to Fire Departments across Minnesota for fire prevention week.  A model home sits on a trailer featuring two side by side rooms – a bedroom and a living room.  The living room was set on fire.  It took moments for it to be engulfed in flames. Thankfully, BLFD was on hand to put out the fire.