The Firemen’s Carnival is again !

By Megan Gannon
Tons of of Nomeites and guests from the encircling villages packed into the Nome Recreation Middle for the primary Firemen’s Carnival since 2019.
Children stood in line for face-painting, balloons, the cake stroll, the sweet wheel and different video games. Attendees hovered over lengthy bingo tables to seize a seat and check their luck at profitable prizes. They ate snow cones, scorching canines and, in the event that they arrived early, the shortly sold-out Filipino meals ready by the Rotary Membership within the bowling alley.
They scribbled their names on reams of raffle tickets that helped increase cash for the Nome Volunteer Fireplace Division in its greatest fundraiser of the 12 months.
“It’s a small group, however everybody comes collectively when huge occasions occur,” stated Nome Volunteer Fireplace Division Chief Jim West, Jr.
NVFD had been planning the occasion because the spring. The funds raised will assist offset purchases of drugs for search and rescue operations, for specialised coaching and the rest the Metropolis of Nome doesn’t cowl, West stated.
With the occasion held at a very stormy time of 12 months, climate has usually interfered with previous carnivals, and this 12 months was no completely different. Heat, moist climate situations introduced rain and a slick coating of ice to roads and powerlines and nearly each different floor on the town. Flights have been canceled. Nome’s Checker Cab service stopped operating for the protection of its drivers.
Forward of the carnival, NFVD sends out raffle tickets to promote in villages and expects to get them again through Bering Air. As so many regional flights have been grounded, about 800 tickets have been caught in White Mountain. However William “Little Wink” Grey introduced them in by snowmachine.
“He introduced them into city and made positive they have been delivered,” West stated.
The journey paid off. White Mountain’s Roberta Katongan received one of many high prizes: the 2 round-trip Alaska Airways tickets donated by the airline.
Among the many different winners: Isaac Thompson received the coveted 2022 Skidoo that was propped up in the course of the gymnasium attractive attendees to purchase raffles. Lola Hannon of Koyuk received an upright freezer donated by Nome Outfitters. Greg Novak and Alex Morgan received native buying sprees for $1,000 and $500, respectively.
West at all times worries {that a} crew should reply to a fireplace in the course of the carnival. That didn’t occur this 12 months, however as everybody was leaving the Rec Middle, NVFD bought a name a few potential fireplace at Covenant Church, which turned out to be only a downside with the sprinkler system.
“It’s the primary time I’ve ever responded to a fireplace in a tie,” West stated.