New Fireman’s Park facilities in Fredericksburg dedicated at ceremony

In the 70 years he’s been involved with Fredericksburg Fire Company’s Fireman’s Park as a local volunteer firefighter, Butch Rudy said he never believed this day would come. 

This day was the dedication of modern facilities at Fireman’s Park, the home of Hinkelfest – the annual celebration of all things chicken that’s a fundraiser for charitable organizations in Bethel Township. Construction costs were about $4 million, according to a Bell & Evans spokesperson.

Read More: Construction continues in Fredericksburg at Fireman’s Park ahead of Hinkelfest

The 2025 edition of Hinkelfest is scheduled for Sept. 12-14 at Fireman’s Park in Fredericksburg, and the public is invited to check out the new facilities while enjoying festival activities. 

Last Thursday, government officials, volunteer fire company members, and Bell & Evans representatives got their first look at the new accommodations during a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony. A chicken-themed lunch was provided by Bell & Evans for about 120 event attendees at the event, which was exclusively covered by LebTown.

Scott Sechler and family, the owners of the local poultry producer that also supplies food to Hinkelfest, paid for construction of the new building and other improvements on the grounds at no cost to the fire company, which owns the park. It has a 5,500-square-foot dining area, 1,329-square-foot kitchen, and 526 square feet of storage space.   

“I never dreamt of anything like this, and I hope it all works out for them. Scott had told me he wants to make it self-sufficient for the fire company, and I hope that happens,” said Rudy, who became somewhat emotional when asked for his thoughts on the new building. “It’s a beautiful facility. I hope it does well.”

Master of ceremonies Buddy Sechler, Scott’s son, said it was important to his family to give back through support of the local fire company.

“We’re thankful today for a new building for a place to gather with friends and family for a place to serve as an asset and provide financial support to the Fredericksburg Fire Company, but what we must remain most thankful for today is the fire company itself and all it stands for,” Buddy said. “First, thank you, Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire Company for being such a gracious receiver.”

Buddy highlighted the many sacrifices volunteer firefighters make on a daily basis, invoking John 15:13 as a scripture verse that reminds him of those sacrifices. The verse speaks of a man sacrificing his own life on behalf of his friends. 

“While we pray we never have to see that level of sacrifice first hand, we know there is a lot of real sacrifice by everybody in the fire company. Sacrifice of time, being called away from family at the most inopportune times. Sacrifice of body, experiencing the wear and tear of dangerous and strenuous activities,” Buddy said. “Sacrifice of mind, enduring the stress of tragic sites that are often associated with your service. Thank you for your willingness to sacrifice and serve our community to have our eternal gratitude. Lastly, thank you for being a real backbone of our community here in Fredericksburg.”

Bell & Evans president Scott Sechler said the new building is only the beginning of his company’s involvement with Fireman’s Park. 

“We’re going to stay a part of this, and we’re going to help it grow. We got a big sign we’re going to put up up front,” he said. “So the project will keep going. Our team that runs it is running the kitchen there today. We’re going to help train – help with some fire company guys and some community guys. It’s a pretty sophisticated kitchen.”

Sechler credited Hinkelfest with assisting him in becoming familiar with the local community. 

“Way back when, I mean, I think I was at all the Hinklefests as it started. I got to know more of the community through Hinkelfest than probably any other reason since I live in Berks County, our church hasn’t been here, it’s not our local fire company. But, Hinkelfest, you know, we raised money over the years,” he said. 

He noted the first few years didn’t go well, with a tornado and other factors almost leading to the festival’s demise. Hinkelfest not only raises funds for the fire company but also for other local charitable organizations in Bethel Township. 

“The first ones, you guys know, were a disaster. The tornadoes came through and knocked our name down and everybody was about broke and ready to throw up their hands at the Hinkelfest,” Scott said. “As a fundraiser, all we did was lose.”

Another detriment was buildings becoming more dilapidated and nearing the end of their useful life and the rough terrain of the park grounds. (Another speaker noted that aerial photos from 1937 showed the presence of buildings on the grounds.) 

Scott said tree stumps were removed and the uneven terrain – including in and around the stage area – have been replaced with macadam as part of renovations.

“I can picture my mother and many older people here that came with walkers or wheelchairs and couldn’t get around. There were stones and tree roots sticking out and tree stumps to sit on and all that stuff. And when they had to go to the bathroom they went home,” Scott said. “And this last year was kind of top of the list.”

He noted that last year’s Hinkelfest was the final one that he felt should have inferior facilities. “So I thought, ‘Well, you know what, we can change all that.’ So it quickly became my dream and mission to change that,” he added.

Scott said without elaborating that all construction contractors gave back to the project in some manner. Chief operating officer Mike Bracrella publicly thanked each vendor individually, noting the building can accommodate about 300 people indoors and that creativity was used in creating an impervious paved parking lot located on the north side of the building for stormwater drainage.

“This building, you know, I can remember a very early conversation with Scott talking about building a building that the fire company could support themselves,” he said. “And I’m pretty proud of you standing here and seeing this come to fruition. Thank you, Scott, for sharing your strength with us. And also thank you to the Sechlers for teaching us and reminding us how important it is to be part of the community and be always willing to give back.”

Bracrella noted the modernized park has a new sewer system, underground conduit, and commercial kitchen with plumbing, adding that the new infrastructure is geared to accommodate future growth.

LebTown previously reported that open windows on the north side of the building will allow kitchen staff to serve festival guests without them having to enter the building. A tour of the kitchen after the dedication ceremony revealed stainless steel amenities, including several deep fryers and ample refrigeration.

Richard Rabuck, president of Fredericksburg Fire Company, thanked the Sechler family for their work to modernize the park.

“Thank you for bringing the park into the 21st century and establishing the park as an epicenter for our community. But it didn’t stop with just a vision,” Rabuck said.

He noted the Sechler family provided project management, vendor support, financial backing and hands-on assistance throughout construction, which began this spring and completed in time for this year’s Hinkelfest.

“And let’s not forget, as was already mentioned today, the physical labor. I’m sure many of us saw Scott out driving the equipment during the demolition phase, so we couldn’t have done it without you, Scott,” Rabuck said. “I would also like to recognize many of the volunteer firefighters and their families that are here with us today who work in supporting this project and getting the building ready for the upcoming Hinkelfest.”

Rabuck noted that the park first opened in 1927 and highlighted some noteworthy events over the years – including concerts by Patsy Cline (1960) and Hank Williams Jr. (1978) – and the vision of the park’s founding fathers. 

“I feel as though those men who envision the park to serve as a place for our community can truly come together to learn from one another, to support one another, and celebrate one another,” Rabuck said. “Over the years, this park has truly lived up to that vision. Birthday parties, weddings, holiday celebrations, fundraisers, family reunions, youth sporting events, summer movie nights, and of course, Hinkelfest are all a testament to that vision.”

He noticed that as the park’s facilities got older, use dwindled until the park was dark most days of the year. 

“With the vision that Scott had and the dedication of this building today, those trends changed. Fireman’s Park will once again be poised to provide a vibrant and unique location for our community to come together for decades to come, just as those that came before us envisioned,” added Rabuck.

Rental information

Rental information: Visit the Fredericksburg Fire Company’s Facebook page for more information on renting the park’s facilities for private functions. Rental fees benefit the local fire company, according to volunteer officials.

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