SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas – The truth is Hopkins County is better protected, better served because residents spend their time, their talent and their commitment to the community by serving on one of 12 volunteer fire departments.
On Saturday, the various volunteer groups will unite for the third annual Hot August Night BBQ Cook-Off, held this year in conjunction with the Texas Heritage National Bank PBR Challenge presented by Priefert Ranch Equipment at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
Texas Red Dirt music will be featured during concerts that run from 2-6 p.m., and food prepared by the various fire stations will be available for consumption beginning at 4 p.m. The cost for the Hot August Night is $10 and can be purchased in advance at STAR Country Radio, any of your local volunteer fire departments or at the civic center. Children 6-8 can enjoy the festivities for $7, while children 5 and younger are free. The doors for the Texas Heritage National Bank PBR Challenge presented by Priefert Ranch Equipment open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
“It’s a great community event, and we are so happy to be involved with it as we bring the best bull-focused entertainment to the people of Hopkins County,” said Jim McLain, who, with Emory ranchers Jay Weddle and Donny Gowin of Superior Genetics, produces the PBR Challenge. “This should make for a fantastic Saturday of events for everyone to enjoy, from the great barbecue to the great music to the greatest athletes in our sports of bull riding and bullfighting.”
It boasts of having a full day of fire, fun and fantastic music and is organized by Moose and Dawn Morgan with East Texas Broadcasting, who are also heavily involved as volunteers with their fire department.
“We started this event three years ago because the radio station tries to find community events and organizations that need the type of promotion we can provide,” Moose Morgan said. “This one just happens to be near and dear to our hearts, because all of our family is involved all of us serve as volunteers of this department.”
The event not only features a barbecue contest involving all 12 fire departments but will also have the Fire Muster Game, which allows the volunteers to show off their equipment and their skills as firefighters. There will be vendor booths, demonstrations and a bounce house for children.
“We get a little money from the county, but most fire departments are running at a deficit each year,” Morgan said. “We needed to find an alternate means to help us raise the funds we need to operate, something more than the traditional stew or chili dinner or catfish fry. This not only helps us bring attention to the community about the fire departments, but it also helps us raise money.”
And tying it in with the Texas Heritage National Bank PBR Challenge presented by Priefert Ranch Equipment is a way to reach even more people, he said.
“With the PBR, there is no doubt in our minds that this will be the biggest, to-date, fund-raiser in this region for our volunteer fire departments,” Morgan said. “We’re going to be able to capitalize that literally thousands of people will be showing up that evening for the PBR Challenge. We set up our food service two hours before the PBR doors open, so fans of the PBR can buy a wristband, enjoy good Texas barbecue, go around to the 20-plus booths and just have a good time here before enjoying the rest of the evening inside the civic center.
“If not for the PBR being here, it would not have given us the opportunity to be here. But this is also an outreach for the PBR and the people putting this on. With all the people that will be here, this is a great opportunity for them to show how civic-minded they are. They have proven that this is more than just a show, that they’re also part of this community.”
That, as much as anything, McLain said, is what the PBR Challenge is about.
With that said the PBR will also be helping fund the volunteer departments within the event itself. One opportunity will be the additional tickets fans will have a chance to purchase at a chance to win the Hart Tackle Co.’s “Big Catch of the Day” cash prize of $14,000 that one fan will get drawn to compete for each night of the PBR. Fans will get one ticket with their paid admission and can purchase additional chances for $1 per ticket from the volunteer firefighters, of which 100 percent goes to help fund their departments.
“We take great pride in not only bringing quality entertainment to east Texas, but also being part of the community,” McLain said. “It’s who we are. The Texas Heritage National Bank PBR Challenge is Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County and east Texas.”
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