Randolph Mantooth will highlight the 60th Fire Fighters Association of Missouri Convention this May 2–4.
“Sixty Years of Brotherhood in the Fire Service” is the theme of the 60th Fire Fighters Association of Missouri convention hosted by the Jefferson County. The convention will be held at the Best Western Shalimar Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, 1200 West Gannon Drive, Festus, Missouri, on Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4. The Jefferson County firefighters previously hosted the convention in 1964 and 1996.
Most of the convention activities will take place around the host hotel including the competitions on Saturday, the vendor booths and meetings. The Friday night mixer and Saturday banquet will be held in the atrium room of the hotel. There are several food establishments nearby, with many in walking distance of the hotel.
On Friday, May 2 the first event of the convention will be a Board Member training class at the hotel beginning at 8:00 am and ending a 4:00 p.m.. Registration for the convention begins at noon and ends at 7:00 p.m.. Exhibitors booths will also be open from noon to 7:00 p.m.. The convention committee is working hard to bring in vendors with products and collectibles you will like to see and purchase. The Auxiliary meeting will be held at the hotel beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Opening ceremonies for the convention begin at 7:00 p.m. in the hotel atrium beginning with the posting of colors by the National Guard Color Guard. The convention planning committee has arranged for state, county and local government officials to address the convention attendees. Following opening remarks by FFAM officials, a mixer featuring live music by the band, Tumbleweed, will begin at 8:00 p.m. and end at 1:00 a.m.. Convention attendees will have their first opportunity to meet actor Randolph Mantooth when he hosts a fund raising autograph session during the mixer. Mr. Mantooth starred in the role of “LA County Firefighter/Paramedic John Gage” on the hit TV series. Emergency! Photographs and posters will be available for purchase and personalization. Attendees may bring other items from their personal collection for autographs. All proceeds from the autograph fund raiser benefit the LA County Fire Museum.
On Saturday, May 3 registration and exhibits continue from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The competition challenge begins on the Home Depot parking lot directly across the street from the hotel. The parade will begin at 2:00 p.m. from the Festus Middle School, 1717 West Main and travel east to Brierton Lane where the parade will end. The Convention Parade Grand will be Randolph Mantooth. All departments, organizations and fire truck owners are encouraged to bring their best, newest or oldest apparatus to participate in the parade. Plaques will be presented in different categories.
The convention banquet will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the hotel atrium. Following the award presentations, Randolph Mantooth will deliver his keynote address, “Remember Why”. Mr. Mantooth’s presentation will remind us that it’s not so much about the “business” as it is about the people. Everyone is encouraged to hear his inspiring keynote address that will lead us back to the heart of why we do what we do. Mr. Mantooth will hold a second autograph fund raising session following his presentation.
Following the banquet and program, Tall Paul Productions will provide the music for the convention dance from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m..
The convention closes on Sunday morning with the association and auxiliary meetings beginning at 9:00 a.m.. All departments are encouraged to representation at these business meetings.
The Jefferson County Firefighters Association has planned for this convention to be enjoyable for all those who attend. The association hopes you will make plans to attend and meet firefighters from across the state. See you in Festus!
FFAM
