Topaz firefighters prepare for annual barbecue

More than 700 pounds of beef will go into the pit on Saturday in preparation for the 41st Topaz Volunteer Fire Department Barbecue on Sunday.

The oldest and biggest party in the south county, more than 800 people attend the annual fundraiser to support their firefighters.

Chief Dave Thomas said the barbecue is one of the longest continuous events in the county, following only Carson Valley Days and Candy Dance.

Preparation for the big feed starts on Friday when firefighters set up the tents and awnings. On Saturday they finish the set-up, and gather items for raffle prizes and auctions that occur through the afternoon.

“More than 300 gifts are donated by area merchants,” Thomas said. “We start planning in January. We send out letters and requests. On Saturday we get all that together.”

Then they get down to the business of cooking two-fifths of a ton of meat.

“We light the fire at about 4 p.m. and let it burn down until we get coals,” he said. “We prepare meat Saturday night by cutting and seasoning it.”

The meat, which comes from Butcher Boy, will go into a brick-lined 6-feet deep pit that has been used every year since the 1960s.

“Somewhere around midnight, we put the meat in the pit. We cover it up and check it through the night.”

On Sunday morning the firefighters do the final clean-up then open the pit at about noon.

There’s a donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 collected for the meal.

The band Buffalo Country will perform live music for the event in between the auctions.

Topaz volunteers will celebrate the 41st anniversary of the founding of their fire department this year.

Only Genoa and Gardnerville volunteers have a longer history in the East Fork Township.

If you go What: Topaz Volunteer Fire Department Barbecue Where: Topaz Lake Volunteer Fire Station When: Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday Information: 691-8709