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Play Day — Spray Day!

 Big smiles (and bigger splashes) 

On Friday, June 20, 2025, the Minoa Fire Department joined Minoa Elementary School for one of the most eagerly anticipated days of the year — Play Day!

As the school year winds down, Play Day gives students a chance to set aside their books, tablets, and classroom routines to simply have fun. This year, the Minoa Fire Department once again helped turn up the excitement — and the water pressure — in a tradition that stretches back decades, at least to the 1980s.

Children playing in water spray from a fire truck on a wet street.

Firefighters arrived early in the morning and got to work turning the school grounds into a splash zone. The Department’s ladder truck extended high into the air to set up a giant overhead spray. On the ground, hoses with perforations — similar to giant soaker hoses — sent refreshing streams arching over the parking lot. One special nozzle sprayed a 5-foot-wide spiral of water that had kids squealing with joy as they dashed through it again and again.

Fire truck spraying water; a shirtless child runs through the spray.

Before the waterworks began, students romped through a fog of foam, kicking up clouds of bubbles as they played. Fortunately, the timing was perfect. They were able to rinse off in the firefighter-made “car wash” just moments later.

The day started off cool, with temperatures in the 60s and a few shivers among the bravest runners. One boy even wished that the firefighters could hook up to a “hot water hydrant”! But as the sun came out, so did the smiles, and no one seemed to mind the brisk water by mid-morning.

Why do the firefighters take part in something so light-hearted? Because we’re part of this community. We believe in showing up not only during emergencies, but also during joyful moments. We laugh together, we celebrate together, and most importantly, we support one another.

Play Day is one of our favorite traditions, and we’re proud to keep the water flowing and the fun going, year after year.

Thanks to firefighters Dave Matthes, Jr., Dave, Hess, Ben Hess, Connor Young, and Randy Capriotti as well as DMO Rich Sabin. Thanks also the the teachers and administrators at Minoa Elementary.

Firefighers Randy Capriotti and Ben Hess are lifting a large rolled green fire hose near a fire truck.
Firefighters Randy Capriotti and Ben Hess are lifting a large rolled green fire hose to connect the hydrant to the fire truck.
Connor Young, in uniform, working on a yellow fire hydrant with a hose connected, on grassy area near a road.
Firefighter Connor Young, himself a student at ESM High School, connects a hose to the hydrant.
Randy Capriotti connecting a green fire hose from the hydrant to the fire truck.
Firefighter Randy Capriotti connects the hose to the ladder truck where the water will be pumped and sprayed to the children.
Dave Matthes, Jr., in a blue shirt and shorts drags a red hose on a wet parking lot with grass in the background.
Dave Matthes, Jr., puts out the soaker hose.
Three firefighters stand by a green fire truck with open compartments and equipment that controls the sprays visible.
Waiting for the little ones
Minoa Elementary official talking outside with Dave Matthes, Jr., and DMO Rich Sabin.
Dave Matthes, Jr., and DMO Rich Sabin speak to an administrator of Minoa Elementary
Children playing in water sprayed from a fire truck hose in a park-like setting.
Spray and splash
Dave Matthes, Jr., giving a thumbs up, standing on a green fire truck with open compartments and equipment visible.
Dave Matthes, Jr. controls the spray at the firetruck’s controls
Kids play in water spray from fire hoses in front of a fire truck in a parking lot.
Just like a water park
Kids playing in water sprayed from a fire truck's hose on a sunny day.
A successful Play Day!
Firefighers Randy Capriotti and Ben Hess are lifting a large rolled green fire hose near a fire truck.
Connor Young, in uniform, working on a yellow fire hydrant with a hose connected, on grassy area near a road.
Randy Capriotti connecting a green fire hose from the hydrant to the fire truck.
Dave Matthes, Jr., in a blue shirt and shorts drags a red hose on a wet parking lot with grass in the background.
Three firefighters stand by a green fire truck with open compartments and equipment that controls the sprays visible.
Minoa Elementary official talking outside with Dave Matthes, Jr., and DMO Rich Sabin.
Children playing in water sprayed from a fire truck hose in a park-like setting.
Dave Matthes, Jr., giving a thumbs up, standing on a green fire truck with open compartments and equipment visible.
Kids play in water spray from fire hoses in front of a fire truck in a parking lot.
Kids playing in water sprayed from a fire truck's hose on a sunny day.