In 1975 our volunteer fire company decided to hold a neighborhood barbeque at Cedar Ridge Lake to show their appreciation to the community and raise a little money for the fire company. The menu was comprised of deep-pit beef barbeque served with beans, bread and salad. It was prepared and served by the firefighters. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Cedar Ridge Fire Company provided homemade desserts and helped the firefighters with the food service.

When the event began, the fire company consisted of approximately 20 volunteer firefighters which was more than adequate to support the event. The barbeque continued to be an annual community affair for twenty-four years with attendance growing to approximately eighty guests.

Then in 1999 the number of volunteer firefighters had dwindled to six and the annual barbeque was endangered of being cancelled. The Ladies Auxiliary decided that the annual barbeque should continue as a neighborhood tradition.
They decided to provide the additional support the firefighters needed and redefined the event as a thank you to our volunteer firefighters rather than the other way around. They also decided to make the barbeque a focus of their annual fundraising for the the Fire Company.

By increasing the level of support that the Ladies Auxiliary had provided in the past, the barbeques become an annual tradition enjoyed by the Cedar Ridge residents and attendance has grown to over 230 guests.

While the firefighters still do the food preparation and cooking, the Ladies Auxiliary now provides the other necessary support services. They have added to the event the now infamous raffle with thousands of dollars in prizes donated by businesses as far away as Nevada. Activities were added for the children as well as swimming, music and tables colorfully decorated with balloons and tablecloths.

In 2003 after completely setting up at Cedar Ridge Lake the rain came on Saturday morning and threatened to cancel the event. At the last minute arrangements were made to move everything to Belleview school. Everyone pitched in and the move was accomplished in time for the 2:00 opening. The turn out was great, in spite of the rain, and good time was had by all.

The Annual Firefighter’s Barbeque continues to be a traditional Cedar Ridge Community event enjoyed by all.