MONTAGUE CENTER — The annual bonfire to celebrate Independence Day will return on Wednesday, July 3, at the Montague Center Ballfield starting at 6:30 p.m., carrying on a longstanding tradition.

Ann Fisk, an EMT with the Montague Center Fire Department and the daughter of a former Montague Center firefighter, explained the bonfire, organized by the Montague Center Firefighters Association, has been a tradition since the early 1950s.

“A lot of the guys who came back from World War II were very committed to their community and this tradition,” Fisk said. “It was always their way to give back to the community.”

Fisk explained material for the bonfire would be collected and assembled two weeks ahead of the event. Old railroad ties would be used to assemble the stack that would burn the entire night. As time went on, the railroad ties were replaced with wooden pallets as a more environmentally friendly and accessible option starting in the 1960s.

According to Fisk, the event went dormant for around 20 years in the 1980s and 1990s as materials for the fire became harder to acquire. Since its revival by the Montague Center Firefighters Association, the tradition has been carried on by younger community members and the firefighters who get materials for and set up the fire.

The early iterations of the bonfire celebration also served as a carnival, with field games and fire truck rides for kids. Today, the bonfire tradition continues with free food made by the department’s volunteers and community.

“It’s just a really nice family and community event,” Fisk said.

People are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Food will be provided and there will be live music by Heath Lewis.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.