By Joe Bachman

GRAND RAPIDS — For nearly 60 years, the annual Grand Rapids picnic has kept residents well-fed, and well-entertained.

Saturday, June 10 marks such an occasion, as the Grand Rapids annual picnic is back and ready to deliver food, entertainment, and education to the masses. Every year the event is held to help raise money for the Grand Rapids Fire Department. (GRFD)

“This is our annual fundraiser, and it helps us buy any type of equipment and supplies that are needed that aren’t funded through our normal tax base method,” said Grand Rapids Fire Chief Don Bohn.

Kicking off at 3:00 p.m., the day will fill more than appetites — included in the day’s events will be lawnmower races, kids’ rides and activities, raffles, a lawn-bag tournament, and live music from local favorites Raised Reckless at 6:00 p.m. Also on hand will be the Grand Rapids fire safety trailer, which delves into the many aspects of fire prevention.

In addition, the GRFD will partner with the American Red Cross to kickoff their free smoke alarm program as a part of their Wisconsin Home Fire Safety Campaign.

“The American Red Cross is predominately funding this, where free smoke alarms will be given to houses that don’t have them,” said Bohn. “We have to install the smoke detectors in their home, but we’re going to start trying to identify places and people that need these smoke detectors put in their houses.”

You can join the picnic at the Grand Rapids Lions Club, located at 2411 36th St. South.