55th Annual EVFD Fireman's BBQ - August 21, 2026

Right now, firefighters are front and center, on an intense battleground. From Spokane, Washington to Millard County Utah, across Nevada, and right here at home with our own Ward Fire.

We are incredibly proud, humbled, and honored to serve our community and will be forever grateful to all of the brave, selfless, and dedicated firecrews that have responded to calls for help here and throughout the Intermountain West.

This year, the Ely Volunteer Fire Department recognizes what an important event the Annual BBQ actually is, not only for our community but for all visitors coming in to celebrate the Fair Weekend as a time honored and cherished tradition. This one will be more than a meal shared together, it is a symbol of an unyielding service to our friends, families, neighbors, and out-of-area travelers.

As the White Pine Horse Races welcomes residents, jockeys, and race fans, the EVFD will proudly serve dinner to everyone, from all over the city, county, state and country, making the trek to Ely to enjoy our home and this community experience.

EVFD’s Annual BBQ kicks off the White Pine Fair and Horse Races weekend with a traditional Western BBQ that can be witnessed on how this food is roasted over pit fires and open flame. Our main menu items are beef, turkey and lamb roasts, seasoned to perfection, tied together with our secret ingredients while it cooks in a locomotive sized smoker. Everyone who sees this done is amazed at the days of work and preparation that goes into this long-standing tradition.

At last year’s BBQ, we served over 650 people. All of the money raised during this BBQ goes towards awarding scholarships to White Pine County High School Graduates.

This past year, due to the overwhelming support, we were able to award 8 scholarships to graduates. With the generous support of community organizations and businesses, we aim to grow this scholarship fund and provide more academic financial support than ever before.

YOUR support can come in terms of buying $20 Adult/ $10 kid tickets to our BBQ at 5:00pm on August 21st, 2026 at the White Pine County Fairgrounds or by becoming a BBQ SPONSOR.

SPONSORS will be provided branding before, during, and after the event at the Fairgrounds, Thank you shoutouts via Social Media and local press, as well as network emails provided though the Chamber of Commerce.
One $10,000 Title Sponsorship is available.
Also available are a Beef Sponsorship, Turkey Sponsorship, and Lamb Sponsorship.

Sponsors will be supporting the Ely Volunteer Firefighter’s event and scholarship awards in the 2027 graduating year.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets or becoming a Sponsor, please email EVFD President, April Bath, HERE.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Ely Fire Station 1780 Great Basin Blvd, delivered locally or picked up at the Chamber of Commerce @ 636 Aultman St. .