Westmont, Illinois - Date Issued: September 23, 2021
“This isn’t well-documented as far as we know, but it is a colorful story that’s part of Westmont’s history,” said Larry McIntyre, Westmont 100th Anniversary Committee Co-Chair. “Many years ago, Westmont’s all-volunteer fire department would have annual elections to determine the new Fire Chief. Apparently, one year the election outcome was in dispute, so someone took the village’s only fire truck and hid it from the rest of the department, and they didn’t realize it was missing until there was a fire and nobody knew where the fire truck was. Continuing our year-long 100th anniversary celebration, we’ve created the Find the Firetruck Contest, which not only helps us tell this intriguing story, but will hopefully engage the community in a fun activity.”
Starting Saturday, September 25, the Westmont Fire Department will hide their antique fire engine in a different location around the village every day leading up to the Fire Department Open House on October 2. Each day during the contest, participants will look throughout the community to find the fire truck. When they find it, they will take a picture or selfie with the fire engine to prove that they found it, then email the photo to the village as their submission for the contest. The top finishers will receive a commemorative Westmont 100th Anniversary Beanie Baby. Additionally, everyone who signs up will be entered in a 100th Anniversary Beanie Baby drawing.
“A perfect score for the contest will consist of 8 photo submissions,” said Westmont Fire Chief Steve Riley. “We’re going to help our contestants by letting them know that the first location of the antique fire engine will be at the Public Works Open House event on September 25, and the final location will be the Fire Department Open House on October 2. During the contest, the engine will be moved to a new location every day. We hope this will be a fun way to celebrate our Village’s 100th anniversary and promote our open house events.” To sign up for the contest, fill out the online form.
For more information, contact us at firetruckcontest@westmont.il.gov.
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