Dowell firemen plan May 4 picnic

The first annual Dowell Firemen's Community Picnic will be held in Dowell Saturday, May 4.

Events will include a 5K run sponsored by the village, which will begin at 9 a.m. The village is donating all of the proceeds from the registration to the Wounded Warrior Project.

There will be a car, truck and motorcycle show with registration from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. The show itself will be held from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. with a group called Hot Rod Nights organizing the event.

Winners will be announced around 3 p.m. and trophies will be awarded as the show ends at 4 p.m. There will be trophies for the best car, best truck and best motorcycle as well as the mayor's award and the fire chief's award. There will also be door prizes for participants. Dash plaques will be given to the first 50 entrants. The entry fee is $10.

Proceeds from the car show, food and band performance that night will benefit the fire department equipment fund.

There will be hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, Italian sausage, Italian beef and pulled pork will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a beer pavilion.

The band is donating its time. The lead singer is a fireman from DeSoto. The band will be performing from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m.

The stage for the band is being donated by the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.

There will be games throughout the day.

There will be a 50-50 drawing.

Dowell Fire Chief David Hock said 15 firemen and five first responders staff the fire department.

Chief Hock extended his deep appreciation for assisting in the three months of planning for this celebration.