BP Fire brat feed hits record
Colton Hensel, 2, of Blooming Prairie gives the Blooming Prairie Fire Department a “thumbs up” for its yummy sweet corn. Staff photo by Howard Lestrud
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Blooming Prairie Fire Department Vice President Dave Wradislavsky said last Saturday’s annual Brat & Corn Feed was the biggest ever.
Called “Wrado” by his family and friends, Wradislavsky said Secretary-treasurer Mike Hoffman said his meter or clicker stopped at 649.
Hoffman collected freewill offerings and stashed them into a firefighter’s boot. Hoffman also introduced all retired firefighters as they came through the line.
“We’ve never had lines like we had Saturday,” said Wradislavsky.
Previous high was 646.
“We began to run low on food and had only about 25 pounds of corn left over,” he said, noting the corn came from local grower, Bruce Rumpza.
“I did a lot of running in the later hours of the feed and got six more gallons of beans from Vandal’s and from the Pizza Cellar.
Firefighter Mike Trom said 1,700 pounds of corn were delivered to the site of the feed, the fire hall. The menu included corn, bratwurst, bratwurst paddies and baked beans.
Wradislavsky said he has spoken to other local fire departments and they all were reporting higher attendance at their fundraisers.
Fire Chief Dean Naatz says the monies from the brat feed will go to buy more safety equipment. Last year the BP department purchased tubes to be used to save workers who might have been trapped in a grain bin.
“We are so grateful to our supporters, the customers and also pleased with the support we have gotten from local businesses,” said Wradislavsky.
The BP brat and corn feed is in its 15th year.