Break out the dancing shoes, fancy duds and head directly to Sun Valley for the Firefighters Ball. This year, the highly anticipated and celebrated community event toasts 30 years as a benefit for the Ketchum and Sun Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association.
The ball will take place on Saturday, Nov. 21, in the Sun Valley Inn Limelight Room. Doors will open at 8 p.m. and the band will play at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 and are available at the door, Atkinsons' Market in Ketchum and at the Sun Valley and Ketchum fire departments. The event usually sells-out.
"It supports training and buying specific pieces of equipment that do not come from taxpayers' pockets," said Gray Ottley, a volunteer firefighter. "It's a huge boost to each company."
Ottley said that last year, funds raised from the ball helped to buy carbon monoxide detectors, which ended up saving lives within a few weeks after the departments received them.
"Ketchum has an average of 1,000 calls a year and 75 percent are medical and about 30 percent are fire related," Ottley said. "We are well trained and are ready to help."
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Money raised through the event also supports training for classes in structure fires and medical situations. This past year, firefighters responded to fires and emergency medical service situations, and the backcountry rescue team responded to additional emergencies.
"It's become a favorite community event," Ottley said. "Sun Valley Co. has been terrific to us by donating the room, which really helps us raise money."
This year's live music will be played by Seattle-based Freddy Pink, a nine-member rock and soul band. There is a free bus service and dress is "Ketchum casual," but dressing up is encouraged.
"Support the bus because we don't want to get called out for injuries," Ottley said. "We appreciate everyone's support, and it really does all come back around."
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Free shuttle service
Northbound
· 8:15 p.m. Main St. in Bellevue at Main and Cottonwood.
· 8:25 p.m. Main St. in Hailey at Hailey Auto Exchange.
· 8:35 p.m. East Fork Rd. at bike path.
· 8:50 p.m. Sun Valley Rd. in Ketchum at Elephant's Perch.
Southbound
Two return trips leaving the Limelight Room with stops along Hwy. 75 and per requests.
· 11:45p.m.
· 10 minutes after band stops around 1 a.m. Driver will announce departure.
Always ready for action, volunteer Ketchum firefighters, from left, are David Windham, Shawn Myers, Zac Mayhew, Scott Leightner, Karly Maratea and Richard Williams. Photo by Willy Cook
