All week, the City of Erath has enjoyed celebrating the Fourth of July with their annual festival.

Part of the festivities includes water fights between the local fire departments. 

“We trust the other fire departments on mutual calls but this is the one time of the year where we show who is the best out of the bunch,” says local volunteer firefighter Tommy Menard. 

Menard along with Travis Lange are two volunteer firefighters who were on this year’s winning team. 

“You grew up watching this as a kid. It’s the fun part you get to come to play in the water and get to come to all the good stuff and then you got to be a man.  I want my turn on the fire department hose. This is what keeps those young kids interested in the fire service because we are all solely volunteers,” Lange said.  

The city has been celebrating the 4th since 1936. 

“Fourth of July is very special to me, I love being able to spend time with my family,” says Erath 2018 Miss 4th of July.

Jenna Dirk the Erath 2018 Miss Teen 4th of July says, “It’s our hometown and there’s a lot of love here.”