Four local fire companies are working together again to host the West End Fireman’s Festival at the West End Fairgrounds in Gilbert today through Saturday.

“This is our fourth festival. We had the first one in 2019, then none 2020, a small one in 2021, and a bigger one in 2022,” said Jeff Weiss, president of West End Fire Company.

Gates will open today and Friday at 5:30 p.m., at 3 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $10 per car and $5 per motorcycle.

Firefighters and members from West End, Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company, Kunkletown Volunteer Fire Company and Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder are preparing for their biggest festival to date.

“We are adding Touch-A-Truck Saturday. There will be a bunch of firetrucks, ambulances, police vehicles, township trucks and helicopters. We want the kids to be involved. They can touch the vehicles and learn about their uses,” said Aaron Keller, a director at Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company.

There may be a few helicopters, depending on the weather and if they are not on an emergency call at the time.

Touch-a-truck is from 3 to 6 p.m. near the arena.

“Dave Moyer, from Papillon and Moyer, has a private helicopter and will hover above the ground dropping candy for the kids at 4:30,” said Weiss.

At 6 p.m. Stephen Christopher, a magician from New Jersey, will do his magic show at the bandshell.

The three-day event includes rides provided by AEB Entertainment, games, music, food and fireworks display Saturday at 9:30 p.m. The wristband ride special price will be Saturday 3-6 p.m.

“We do this one joint fundraiser each year and have our own individual fundraisers throughout the year,” Keller said.

The fire companies will sell hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, clams and chicken from Kunkletown’s fair stand near the main stage. Dale’s Concessions, Elephant Ears, Cardinal Hollow and Grovedale wineries and a local brewery will also be there.

The entertainment lineup is: TimeWhys 6-9 p.m. on Thursday; Cramer Brothers Band 6-9 p.m. on Friday; and Chris Eckert 3:30-5:30 and Brian Dean Moore Band 6-9 p.m. on Saturday.

“We will be doing a telethon from 7 to 9 p.m. on Channel 13. The ways to donate are through Venmo, PayPal and calling in to pledge,” said Cheryl Dorshimer, who is coordinating this first-time telethon during the festival.

Eckert will be the emcee and the Brian Dean Moore Band will perform live during the telethon, she added.

“The idea to add the telethon was Randy Cramer’s. St. Luke’s of Monroe County is one of the sponsors,” Dorshimer said.

Cramer, who plays the fiddle and sings in the Cramer Brothers Band, has played a significant role in the Fireman’s Festival since 2019.

This year, he asked a few friends, including Dorshimer to help with the festival. Brenda Hawk and her son, Scott Hawk, mulched and planted flowers in the flower beds in which Diann Bittenbender placed firefighter gear, memorabilia and flags. These beds are in front of the main stage, where the bands will perform.

Brianna Shupp, the West End Fair Queen 2022-23, will be there throughout the festival selling 50/50 raffle tickets. The winner will get 50 percent of the money raised. The fair queen program will get 25 percent and the remaining will go to the fund to help Kyle Frable, a Kunkletown firefighter injured during a Christmas Eve house fire who remains in rehabilitation.

“This festival is yet another way we work together to help our fire companies and community. Mutual aid is required during an emergency service call during the daytime because so many of us are working and cannot respond,” said Weiss.