SUBMITTED PHOTO — The band Positive Pressure, made up of local firefighters, will perform at the Ignite the Night fundraiser on Saturday. The event will raise funds for the construction project on the State Center Fire Station, which is slated to begin this summer.

STATE CENTER — A popular aspect of the annual Rose Festival are the pork burgers made by the State Center Fire & EMS Department, but will not be present this year. Instead, they will be available this Saturday during the Ignite the Night Fire Department New Station Fundraiser.

Beginning at 4 p.m. at the Lincoln Valley Golf Course, the fundraiser will not only have the pork burgers, but also live music, raffles and auctions. Fire/EMS Chief Brad Pfantz said it will help provide money for the new fire station, which is scheduled to begin construction this summer.

“We do not have a target,” he said when asked how much money he hopes to raise on Saturday. “We do know the initial estimates of the construction are higher than the bond amount. So, there is a gap to fundraise for.”

Pfantz was referring to the $1.5 million bond issue approved by 61 percent of State Center voters during the November 2024 general election. The funds will help provide an addition to and renovation of the fire station. A previous bond issue had failed by a narrow margin.

“The bond only affects residents and property owners in State Center, so the fundraiser will be a way for rural patrons to support us,” he said. “They are not taxed for the bond.”

He added that they will know more about the total project cost after the June 17 State Center City Council meeting when bids will be opened.

To help fill in the project cost gap, pork burger enthusiasts will pay $10 for the meal, which includes two sides, a cookie and a drink. The meal begins at 4 p.m. and will last until the food runs out.

“People look forward to the pork burgers,” Pfantz said. “It’s been a staple at the Rose Festival for 40-plus years, but it can’t be at the Rose Festival because we will be out of the fire station. We wanted to give everyone a chance to enjoy the annual treat.”

The chief said the event will be an opportunity for State Center and rural residents to enjoy a fun-filled evening while supporting the fire station. Live music will be provided by Clint Hilleman from 4 to 6 p.m., as well as the band Positive Pressure from 6:30 to 10 p.m. The latter band is composed of local firefighters, Pfantz included.

He is expecting the raffles and live and silent auctions, which begin at 5 p.m., to generate some extra money, as several have a retail price of more than $600. Pfantz said there is a Yeti cooler filled with beef and pork, outings to hunting reserves, time on golf courses, a chance for evenings in hotels and a mix of gift cards from area businesses.

“We have more than 50 silent auction items,” he said. “The live auction begins at 8 p.m., and we still have things coming in.”

Pfantz estimated it has taken three or four months to put the fundraiser together, and is an effort the fire department has never taken on before.

“We’ve never had anything this big,” he said. “We are geared to start the project, and we may hold several fundraisers throughout the year, but nothing to this extent. When this was dreamt up, we knew it would be a lot of work and a lot of hours. There is no way we could have done this without the spouses. Our wives really stepped up. They are helping with the meal and everything. There has been a big team effort from the spouses.”

Pfantz is expecting a lot of people to attend, as there has been nothing but positive feedback in response to the event. While some smaller fundraisers might occur in the future, he said there is nothing else planned for the rest of the summer after Ignite the Night.

“We’re hoping the weather cooperates and everyone can enjoy the outdoors,” Pfantz said. “Bring your families and lawnchairs.”

EVENT INFORMATION

Name: Ignite the Night Fire Department New Station Fundraiser

Where: Lincoln Valley Golf Course

Address: 1538 235th St., State Center

Date: Saturday

Hours: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Tickets: $10 for the pork burger meal

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.