The only fire at the Chilmark volunteer firefighters’ Backyard Bash Wednesday was on the grill, where burger patties and corn on the cob were laid out for hundreds of hungry patrons attending the popular annual benefit.
Held on the lawn behind the Chilmark Community Center, the event attracted residents of all ages who stopped by on an overcast evening to catch up with old friends and cool down from the August humidity with a fresh watermelon or snow cone.
Jenny Levine came with her three-year-old son Josh and her grandfather Hank Bell, a Chilmark resident of 55 years. She said she’s been coming to the bash since she was three months old and this year was her first one with Josh.
“My son is in love with firemen, fire trucks, really anything with the fire department,” she said.
Josh was playing with a small toy fire truck when he spotted Chilmark police chief Jonathan Klarén. He wandered over to the chief, eyes open wide.
“He decided you were police or fire,” said Ms. Levine. Mr. Klarén sat down with Josh on one of the wooden benches and began teaching him about the different parts of the fire truck.
“The water comes out of that,” the chief said while pointing at the fire hose. Behind the pair was a large sign calling for firefighter volunteers.
Most of the Chilmark fire department was on hand for the event and all smiles as a crowd steadily rolled in and kids dashed about on an obstacle course. A raffle auctioned off prize packages, including a Gay Head Cliffs bundle, Menemsha sunset dinner for two and date night bundle featuring an ice dancing show, confections from Chilmark Chocolates and a Chilmark Tavern coupon.
Jeremy Bradshaw, Chilmark fire lieutenant and bash organizer, said money raised from the event will go toward scholarships for Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School students, Chilmark Halloween and Christmas parties and the association’s relief fund for firefighters. He said there was one year the fire department skipped the event, but the public outcry was so strong that they had to bring it back.
“It’s just a good community event. It’s great just seeing the kids having fun,” he said.
Money raised in previous years has also helped one of the fire department’s own. Last year, fire chief David Norton was on leave due to a heart condition but received funds from the bash to help with his medical bills. This year he said he was grateful and the event shows how close-knit Chilmark residents are.
“We’re doing this to take care of ourselves. It’s a relief fund,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to see these people come out.”
The soundtrack was provided by a six-piece band led by Taurus and Ellen Biskis. The band was brainstorming possible names. After a few tries, pedal-steel player Geoff Patterson came up with the winner: On Account of Ellen.
Mrs. Biskis is also the Chilmark town accountant.
“I used to run around this as a kid and now I get to play it, which is pretty cool,” she said of the bash. She said it would be fitting to start with the John Prine song, A Town This Size.
The band started playing, and for a brief moment the sun shone through the clouds. An American flag raised on the Chilmark School flagpole before the event by town administrator Tim Carroll waved in the breeze. Seasonal resident Jim Belushi arrived to buy a T-shirt and join the band for a few songs on his harmonica.
Laurie Bryant, looking around at the throngs of picnic blankets and lawn chairs full of families, said the cash is what makes Chilmark, “a town this size,” so special.
“There’s a unity and connection here that will never break,” she said.
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