GENEVA – If you couldn’t find a way to cool off July 12 at Memorial Field in Geneva, then you weren’t looking too hard.
Cool water was everywhere as a playful water battle took place beginning at noon between the children of the community and Geneva Fire Department.
The Harpersfield Fire Department also pitched in with its tanker to make sure there was plenty of water to go around.
And there was.
Firefighters sprayed out water from their hoses as kids aimed their water guns back at them, each side attempting to soak the other as much as possible.
Myke Dowd, the city recreation coordinator, said it was a great day for the kids to come out and get wet and hang out with the fire department. It’s an annual summer tradition each July.
The City of Geneva Recreation Department joins with the fire department in offering the fun event.
“Today is a perfect water day,” Dowd said.
She said everybody gets excited, adding that it wasn’t just the kids who were having a good time, but the firefighters as well.
“This is a fun thing they get to do,” she said. “They’ve been doing it for a long time.”
She said parents like the water battle because it’s a safe environment for the kids.
Kristin Marquez brought her two kids.
“It gives the kids something to do,” she said. “It’s nice for the community.”
She said they had been to three of the water trees previously. She thought it was a good way to keep the kids cool.
“They like the fire truck spraying them,” she said. “They can see friends. It keeps them active.”
Crystal Cole also had her two children at the water battle. “I think it’s great for the kids to come and enjoy just doing summer stuff,” she said, noting they like to see friends and get wet.
Dale Arkenburg, the City of Geneva’s interim part-time fire chief, was happy to be taking part in the water battle.
“This is a great event for the community, for sure,” he said. “Our members really enjoy being out here and having fun with the children. Them getting us wet is a huge thing.” He was pleased to have the fire department from Harpersfield helping out with its tanker.
Dowd said the first 100 kids showing up at the water battle got a free scoop of ice cream courtesy of Popp-A-Razzi and Sunset Taxi.
“I think it’s awesome,” she said.
