One of Arnold’s two volunteer fire departments is going to try something new for a fundraiser.
Arnold Engine Co. No. 2 will host its first “Octoberfest” from 6-10 p.m. Oct. 15 at its social hall, 1702 Fifth Ave.
“Now that we’re actually allowed to have in-person fundraisers, we’re going to try to do an Octoberfest this year,” said Tara Boda, a firefighter in Arnold for 22 years who now lives in Washington Township.
The event will feature German food, breweries, music and raffles. Admission will be free.
Food will include kielbasa sandwiches, pretzels and cheese, German potato salad and German meatballs, Boda said.
Three breweries were confirmed — Acclamation Brewing from Verona, Sly Fox from Pittsburgh and Butler Brew Works from Butler — with two more possible.
Activities for kids will include a pretzel necklace making station and a photo booth with props, Boda said.
The event was the idea of Chief Keith Dziobak. His department has about 25 active members.
“With everything that’s been going on, we haven’t been having all of our fundraising events like we normally do,” he said. “We’ve seen different organizations throughout the Valley trying different things.
“We’ll give it a shot and see what happens,” he said. “Hopefully, we have nice weather for it, people can come out, and it won’t be that cold. They can enjoy some German food, some craft beer and some games of chance.”
The department might get its wish on the weather, as the National Weather Service forecasts warmer-than-usual weather is expected to continue for most of October.
Proceeds will go toward buying new equipment for the fire department, Dziobak said. Boda said they don’t have a fundraising goal in mind.
“We threw this together in less than a month,” she said. “If this one does seem to pull in a crowd, we were talking about doing a Mardi Gras in February for something different, to try to get away from all the regular fundraisers and bingos and everything.”
