“One word: Wild,” said Mark Porter.

“Hog Wild,” added Ronnie Killingsworth.

The volunteer firefighters offered an enthusiastic evaluation ofthe Lincoln County Volunteer Firefighters Association’s inauguralHog Wild Barbeque Cook Off and Family Festival in downtownBrookhaven Saturday.

“The turnout we’ve had has been great,” said Porter, Loyd StarVolunteer Fire Department chief and event co-chairman.

Throughout the morning and into the afternoon, the smell of foodfilled the air as festival-goers visited with cook off contestants,enjoyed several rides and shopped at vendor booths. Porter said thefood was the most popular attraction for the day.

“Every time we looked up, there was a line at one of thecontestant’s areas,” Porter said. “It was wild there for awhile.”

At various times during the day, state and area politicalcandidates took the stage to discuss their ideas for office.Political signs were everywhere as candidates also mingled withfestival-goers during the day.

The festival’s focus was to raise funds for the association tohelp volunteer firefighters in their activities. But volunteerfirefighters were also staying true to their mission to help thecommunity however and whenever they can.

“We’re trying to raise money, but we’re also trying to promoteBrookhaven and Lincoln County and give back,” said John Hart, HogChain Volunteer Fire Department chief.

Porter said turnout far exceeded expectations and he was lookingfor an even better event next year.

“We’re thinking about next year already,” Porter said.

With no countywide local elections next year, one area that willneed some tweaking will be entertainment. Porter suggested thepossibility of an assortment of musical acts.

“We’ll be trying to come up with something good next year as faras entertainment,” Porter said.

As for Saturday, Porter was appreciative of the volunteerfirefighters’ efforts and the crowd that turned out to help makethe first festival a big success.

“Everything has been just great,” Porter said.