HATFIELD — A fall concert put on by the Hatfield Firefighters Association as a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization will have its final musical acts perform Saturday.
With just a handful of organizers remaining, and challenges facing the Hatfield Bonfire Musical Festival, the event, running from 5 to 10:30 p.m. at 15 Billings Way, will feature Giovannie and the Hired Guns, Austin Meade, Sterling Elza and Cottonwood.
“This is going to be the last one,” said Luke Longstreeth, a fire captain and member of the association who also chairs the Select Board. “A lot of it is due to rising costs of all the inputs, from the price of talent, fencing, port-a-potties and insurance.”
While sponsors have continued to support the concert, the local economy is a challenge.
“A lot of local donors reached out to help out, so we’re in a good spot this year,” Longstreeth said.
The fire department has been facing challenges in staffing, including those who would work the bonfire and toss the pallets to keep the fire burning bright, but Longstreeth said the difficulties come more from a lack of volunteers with the association, which includes current and former members.
“Realistically, it’s about seven people who have been taking on the organizing of this for the past seven to eight years,” he said.
The money raised supports scholarships for students, essential life safety equipment for firefighters, and donations to local organizations, including town recreation programs, though a large chunk of money is held each year so there is $80,000 to $90,000 available to stage the event.
The biggest donation to the fire department was the purchase of an F350 pickup truck that is now used as the department’s Utility 1 truck.
The venue has a capacity of 3,000, though typically about half that number of tickets are sold, with complimentary tickets boosting turnout.
Aside from the bonfire, which began in 2013 as a joint production with country radio station KIK 100.9, the association doesn’t have any other regular fundraisers, though it does have a presence at the Luminarium each December where hot chocolate and cookies are provided.
Longstreeth said the possibility the Hatfield Bonfire returns shouldn’t be ruled out, though unlikely in 2027. But the company that books performers has expressed interest in continuing the event.”People are open to revisiting it in the future,” Longstreeth said.
“We rallied together and decided to promote this as the last one, and ideally to go out on top,” Longstreeth said.
“We didn’t realize how invested people are in the bonfire,” Longstreeth said. “They understand, but are certainly sad an event like this has to take a break.”
Tickets, which are $35 apiece, are available online at https://hatfieldbonfire.com, at Fishtales Bar & Grill and at the door. In addition to the music and bonfire, the event will have several food trucks and places to get beverages.
