With the St. Leon Firemen’s Festival drawing closer, volunteers are busy preparing for this annual event.

The biggest challenge includes securing enough people to help and organizing the fest, emphasizes Debbie Zimmer, St. Leon Volunteer Fire Depart-ment secretary-treasurer. “It’s a three- or four-month process getting the permits and everything together.”

Eventually, “all falls into place. We always wonder if it’s going to, but it does,” reports Chief Don Schuman.

Zimmer stresses the importance of community members. “We have lots of good volunteers, and we couldn’t do it without their help.”

This year’s festivities kick off at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at the firehouse on St. Joe Drive with the first of two evening meals. The menus: Friday, 5 to 8 p.m., fish sandwiches, french fries, green beans, cole slaw and dessert; Saturday, Aug. 2, 3:30 to 8:30 p.m., fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, corn, tomatoes, cole slaw and dessert. As of press time, the price of these dinners has not yet been determined.

For those patrons who do not wish to partake in such a large meal, other food choices will also be available, including hamburgers, cheeseburgers, brats, metts, cheese coneys, hot dogs, bean soup and ice cream.

Attendees can try their luck at several popular attractions, including the ham booth, bingo, big six, bars and bells and card games. There is a beer garden, where the celebration continues until at least midnight each evening, the chief notes.

Youngsters can enjoy a variety of children’s games, including a bouncing inflatable.

People who enter the raffle will have a chance at 68 prizes, including first, a custom-built poker table valued at about $3,500; second, $2,500; third, $750; and fourth, $500. Tickets are six for $5 or $1 apiece.

Schuman is looking forward to “good weather and lots of people” to attend and support the fire department. He indicates there are about 20 current firefighters and five more going through training.

The proceeds are used for the “upkeep on the building and property .... insurance, maintenance, equipment,” he adds.

The secretary-treasurer encourages the public to “come out to St. Leon, have a good meal and see your friends.”