NISLAND—The Nisland Fire Hall was packed with hungry visitors eager to enjoy a delicious meal last weekend. Held annually on the first Saturday in August, this was the Nisland-Arpan Fire & Rescue’s 16th year providing delicious brisket while simultaneously raising money for the Fire Department. With the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and the Butte-Lawrence County Fair typically coinciding with the event, the feast regularly sees a huge turnout and this year was no different. Visitors ranged from local supporters including the Fire Department Club from Belle Fourche to out-of-town guests.
The brisket feed is the fire department’s main fundraiser for the year, and it typically brings in approximately $7,000 to $10,000. Along with the free-will donations for the meal, the event includes a silent auction full of items.
“It started out as just an appreciation dinner for people supporting us,” said Stan Lewis, Fire Chief.
He explained that the department had needed a new fire hall.
“We’re celebrating. We got the hall paid for,” he said.
Now that the hall is paid for, “we’re able to maybe look at some trucks,” he said. “We probably have the most aged trucks around.”
The brisket comes from local meat shops, including Integrity Meats in Belle Fourche and the meat locker in Nisland. Usually, the cost is halved due to the generosity and support of the local businesses. This year, Integrity Meats chose to donate half of the brisket for the feed, while the department paid for the other half.
“This community has really supported us, as you can see,” Lewis said. “And we really appreciate it. And we enjoy putting it on because people enjoy coming. It’s one of those things that just smoothly goes through.”