ELLERSLIE — Ellerslie, a small town about seven miles north of Cumberland, is rooted in the work done by its volunteer fire department.
It’s a tight-knit community that thrives off of strong relationships.
Everyone gives a wave or hello, and everyone makes sure that everyone is doing OK.
The fire department held the sixth annual Ellerslie Days festival over the weekend — a free, annual event that showcases the community. It’s a time where Ellerslie residents, past and present, come together to commemorate the long-standing town that has been around since the early 1800s.
Austin Christner, deputy chief of the Ellerslie Volunteer Fire Department and committee chairman of the event, said the town’s backbone is built on its volunteers.
Christner grew up in Ellerslie, and has been with the fire department since he was a kid.
According to Christner, the event brings a lot of people into town who are not familiar with the area and it has a beneficial impact on the community.
“We use it now as a homecoming, having people come back to town,” he said.
“Our wonderful vendors help to make it happen.”
The event had over 50 vendors, four band performances and a huge turnout. Ellerslie Days held its first kick-off event Friday with a performance by the band Zona Hester.
Saturday’s festivities began in the morning with its opening ceremonies, which presented several awards to its citizens. Several residents were inducted into the Ellerslie Hall of Honor, which recognizes those who have served the community for 20 to 30 years.
Richard “Dick” Fetters, who served the Ellerslie VFD for over 50 years, was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Honor. His family was present to receive the award.
“Dick left such a huge legacy with us,” the department said.
“He was always offering words of encouragement.”
After the ceremony, rides like the mechanical bull opened up, and local vendors showed off what they had to offer. In the evening, members of sponsor Shaffer Construction set off a fireworks show that caps off the festival each year.
Stephen Bucy, a lifelong resident of Ellerslie, said that the event is the biggest time of the year for the small community. “We’re typical small town America, but we’re proud of it that way,” he said. “You know your neighbors and everyone is looking out for each other.”
Bucy said that the town’s history is directly correlated with the service of the fire department.
“They’ve been a big part of the town here for much of (Ellerslie’s) history,” he said.
Jenn Christner, the mother of Austin Christner and another volunteer at the fire department, said that people are the best part of Ellerslie.
“We put this event on to bring people together and celebrate with the vendors,” she said.
In the future, Austin Christner says that the town is looking to hold more events to bring more interest to the small town.
“We’re looking to build a pavilion to hold events twice a month to get the word out about Ellerslie,” he said.