Six years ago, Lake Linden’s Fire department brought an exciting event to the community. And has raised funds to support a new fire hall through the community’s support for snowmobile water cross. A unique motor sport that has the traditionally snow-covered machines skip over water against one another.
The sixth Annual Jeff Moyle Watercress race in Lake Linden on the International Watercress Assocation’s circuit continues to grow. Lake Linden Firefighter and IWA racer James Marietta says this year’s race weekend has already filled the Recreation Area Campground, will open earlier, and has sold more tickets in anticipation of Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
It’s been gaining traction here. Every year it gets bigger. And the cool part is, this year the IWA is seeing some of the biggest numbers it has in the last 20 years. The racing has been competitive. The community supports this also, they love it. It brings a lot of money into your local town. – James Marietta, IWA Racer and Firefighter
Throughout the weekend Lake Linden attendees, campers, and racers will see lake Linden’s firefighters and auxiliary members collecting tickets, tending concessions, and helping to get each race underway. All in an effort to raise funds supporting the fire hall project.
sitting at about $110,000 strictly from Water cross right now. And our goal is to build a fire hall with that. The taxpayers of Lake Linden and Schoolcraft Township fund fire rescue operations here. We want more. We want a nicer fire hall for the department, the members, and the equipment to protect it better. We want nicer equipment, but we’re limited by a one bay fire hall that we pull two trucks out of at a weird angle. – Jason Reese, Treasurer, Lake Linden Fire Department
Reese continues, the department wants to construct a new facility with as little burden to the tax base as possible. Last year the fire department created a foundation for organizing support around the project. And earlier this year the Lake Linden Fire Department brought back an auxiliary organization as a way community members might get involved without becoming a volunteer firefighter.
This weekend you’re going to see us running a bar, running events, managing the race. Helping people, helping campers. We basically ran the campground this weekend. And running to the gate. And our favorite delivery ice. – Jason Reese, Treasurer, Lake Linden Fire Department
Friday night extends the weekend’s atmosphere across three days. The more casual race day even sees some residents on sleds, and a few more up on stage.
Friday night we’ll have like the spouses’ race where we have two people on a sled. The locals’ race where it’s just your standard snowmobile, not these modified ones trying to skip water. And then along with Friday night, we also have a community bonfire. At six o’clock on Friday night and Saturday night, our gates open for free. You could come in; there will be a donation box if you got something tossed in there. – James Marietta, IWA Racer and Firefighter
Gates for the community bonfire will open Friday and Saturday night at 8 pm. Races on Friday night will start at 6 pm. Chad Brogan and the Collective will take the stage at 8 pm and play until midnight. Saturday and Sunday’s fun starts at 11am. Outlaw’d will rock the night away in the evening on Saturday. Learn more about the Jeff Moyle Memorial Watercross Race August 22nd, 23rd, and 24th here.
A day pass will cost $20, and $80 for a family for the day. A full weekend pass will cost $50 or $160 dollars for a family.
Those interested in supporting the Lake Linden Fire Department or Foundation can learn more here. Those interested in volunteering as a firefighter or helping the department in other ways should contact the Lake Linden Fire Department’s Facebook page to connect with a member.
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