By Glenn Rolfe

DAGSBORO — A long thirst for community-based fun and fundraising was quenched Saturday.

About 1,000 patrons visited the Dagsboro Volunteer Fire Co. for the sixth edition of “Pull’n, Peel’n, Pick’n,” a mega-event that benefits the Good Ole Boy Foundation and the fire agency. The popular spring gathering was canceled in 2020 and 2021, due to pandemic restrictions.

Hocker’s BBQ pulled pork, shrimp cooked by the Showell (Maryland) Volunteer Fire Department’s traveling steamer crew and other edibles dotted the menu, along with assorted beverages.

“Definitely a good night,” said Melissa Townsend, who co-chaired the fundraiser with Josh Wharton.

The Dirt Road Outlawz performed, while attendees took aim in gun raffles and Chinese auctions. Live auctions, led by Robert Kauffman, enticed bidding on items ranging from pies and cakes to hotel packages, a party bus excursion and low-digit license plates.

This year’s event featured 89 table sponsors.

“As well as the Good Ole Boys, we couldn’t do what we do in the community without these sponsors and these vendors that step up and donate … the wonderful auction items we have. They are the real heroes here. We just provide a fantastic event for them to enjoy and have a good time,” said Ms. Townsend.

“We can count, I believe, all of them wanting to come back. Even our new sponsors. We ended up with about 25 new sponsors, which is unprecedented and amazing. We welcome them (with) open arms,” she added. “We strive to keep it right at 1,000 (attendees), just so that everyone has room to enjoy the evening.”

The auction featured some sentimental items, including a deer stand used by the late David Brown, an avid outdoorsman and loyal Pull’n, Peel’n, Pick’n supporter who passed away earlier this year. Donated by Mr. Brown’s family, the stand drew a high bid of $1,500.

“That was amazing and a great tribute to a great man,” said Ms. Townsend.

Also among the auction pieces was a wooden American flag made by Ms. Townsend’s late husband, Bryan Townsend, a Dagsboro firefighter and co-founder of the event who passed in November 2019.

The flag, given back to the fire department via member Dee Vickers, who received it through a fundraiser held on Mr. Townsend’s behalf, was claimed with a $2,400 bid Saturday.

Ms. Townsend said there is discussion about the flag being donated “back to the firehouse in the hopes that, in the years going forward, since Bryan was a key member of the fire department, that whoever wins the flag in the auction will enjoy it for a year and, the following year, come back to the Pull’n and Peel’n and donate it back.”

Organizers saluted the many sponsors, including Greg Hocker/Hocker’s BBQ, Iron Source, Atlantic Pumping and the Showell Volunteer Fire Department. Proceeds should be tabulated this week.

“That shows what kind of brotherhood we have,” Ms. Townsend said. “It is not just a Dagsboro event. It’s really a community event.”

Next year’s festivities are tentatively planned for late March.