The town of Petrolia has come together to support its volunteer fire department (VFD) by raising funds for essential equipment through the Petrolia Spring Festival. The festival, held at the center of town, featured vendors, live music, and community spirit — all with one goal in mind: helping the fire department purchase vital gear for their operations.
Raising Funds for a New Rescue Bed
The main goal of the festival was to raise money for a response bed that Petrolia VFD needs for their new fire truck. This new bed can cost anywhere from $45,000 to $75,000, and Anita and Rickey Myatt, local business owners, believed the Spring Festival was the perfect way to fundraise.
Rickey Myatt explained:
“They’re wanting to set it up as a rescue, which would allow them to do extractions and provide services at car wrecks and other emergencies a lot better.”
Live Music Brings the Community Together
The festival was also filled with live music, courtesy of Cynthia Anderson and Texas Brew Radio, who brought several talented musicians to perform. Local artists like Daryl Perry, Greg Strawn, and Kim Hunter came together to help raise money for the fire department, showing incredible support for the cause.
Anderson expressed her appreciation for the community’s effort:
“It’s really beautiful to see so many people just pulling together.”
The Need for the New Truck Bed
Once the fire department has enough funds to purchase the new response bed, it will help them manage medical calls more effectively. Medical calls make up a significant portion of Petrolia VFD’s responses, and in 2025 alone, over 75% of their calls have been medical-related.
How to Still Donate
If you missed the festival but still want to contribute, you can make a donation by sending a check to the Petrolia VFD at their address in Petrolia. Anderson encouraged those who want to help to support the fire department directly.