Firefest -- what a night

The last Saturday in July, the Dwight Beach lights it up.  Firefest is one of the biggest fundraising events for the Volunteer Fire Department.

And let me just add, as an aside, that these volunteers have been very busy so far this summer, attending accidents.  Which is to say, everyone needs to be thinking ahead just a little bit more, and playing safe...  There have been too many accidents involving boats, swimmers, divers, and all terrain vehicles, and thank you very much, we've all had about enough of what are best described as stupid accidents. Although, as Dad would have said, there's no such thing as a 'smart accident.'

Back to the party at the beach -- Firefest brings in the Northern Lights steel band, who are always a smash hit. Up to 80 players, from 8 to 80, get into the Caribbean rhythms of these wonderful drums.  Based in Sprucedale, everyone is welcome to join this orchestra, and they can really pick up any party.

Dwight has the longest, sandiest, handiest public beach anywhere along the 300+ miles of Lake of Bays shoreline.  For Firefest, the road is closed, and aswarm with people and displays. The Fireboat is there. Police boat takes out rides.  Fire trucks are on display. The Lions Club hold their raffle (although I sadly did not win the bbq... drat... oh well, next year!!!)  Cotton candy. Face painting. So much is going on before the sky lights up.

And as for that, well, yes, it's far and away one of the best fireworks displays anywhere, thanks to the generous sponsors and the volunteers. 

This year, pretty much exhausted after a long Saturday at the resort with many cottage changeovers, the BMD (Bondi Maintenance Dept.) opted to watch from a hill on our own property, rather than face the crowds...  Brian got some great photos, from a slightly different vantage point, showing Dwight Bay ablaze with the lights of the boats that come from all around the lake for the show.