‘Good people, good food, good time’: Annual pig roast returns for 15th run

Aug 19, 2024

For the first time since the Covid pandemic, the Paskmansett Engine Company and the firefighters of Dartmouth Fire District 3 held their annual pig roast Saturday, Aug. 17.

Despite the break, this was the 15th event of its kind held by the engine company, which has been run in a pretty consistent manner since its start, according to Nick Livesey, engine company president.

However, due to a lack of manpower, this year the event was catered by Dale Bishop’s Pig Pickin’ rather than roasted by the firefighters themselves, Livesey said.

“We’re looking to raise money for our engine company, which is a nonprofit and all the firemen are members of it, and we use that to support the community,” he said.

The company holds a number of fundraising events and then awards scholarships to students and funds to charity and department members in need, he added.

According to Devin Madeira, engine company treasurer, the department usually anticipates approximately 300 people at their event and this year, they were set up for 275. 

“It’s good to have it back,” Madeira said.

Standing out in the sun behind the firehouse, firefighter Corey Pimmental and Captain Garth McNamara highlighted the community aspects of the event. 

“It's a great day — beautiful day — nice day for pig roast,” Pimmental said. “It’s good to see everybody out here helping.”

He added how much he enjoys welcoming everyone into the station. “The volunteers are doing a great job.”

McNamara said, “It gives people a glimpse of what we do and gets the community together.”

At one table set up in the firehouse, Hailee Howland and firefighter Peter Howland were enjoying a taste of their first department pig roast.

Hailee said, “I think it’s nice they do community stuff and they encourage people to come in. It’s nice for the kids to get to see the trucks and it kind of inspires another generation of firefighters.”

“It’s a great time to get the families together and bring the community into the firehouse and really enjoy it,” Peter said, adding it’s “good people, good food, [and a] good time.”