Volunteer firefighters joined family and friends of Fire Chief Mike Hicks on July 17 to honor him with a surprise party celebrating his re-election to the post for the 15th year.
The surprise party was disguised as the Father’s Day car bash and barbecue fundraiser, and Hicks acknowledged that he had no idea it was happening.
“They really did get me by surprise,” Hicks said. “It’s a fun group of people to be with.”
Hicks wandered into the garage beforehand and noticed decorations and what he thought was a misplaced pig.
“What’s with the pig? What’s with the 15 year (balloons)?” he recalled with a laugh.
Two months ago, CVFD officer Kara Johnson was looking through photos, came to the realization that this year was monumental and decided to hold this surprise party.
The event featured a pig roast, a firefighter piñata, and a car bash, where participants could purchase one swing for $1 or 15 swings for $10 with proceeds benefitting the department.
The CVFD’s annual elections were held on June 14.
Hicks has been with the department for nearly 30 years. He is the third longest serving fire chief, just behind Jack Dinnen who served as fire chief for 16 years and Dewey Whetsell, who served for 27 years.
