Fireman's Foam to Bring Piles of Fun Tomorrow

As part of a decades-old tradition, Westwood families will descend upon the Deerfield School grounds tomorrow afternoon for an event filled with water, foam, and fun.

During the event, the Westwood Fire Department creates piles of foam using an applicator in which children and teenagers can play around. Later, they can wash the foam off with two nearby fire hoses. The foam is safe and easily washable.

"We use foam which is basically the same thing as soap detergent for washing dishes, and it makes all kinds of bubbles," said Westwood Deputy Fire Chief Roderick Morrison. "Then they come over and we have two hoses set up and wash them off, and they start all over again. It's always a good time and everyone enjoys it."

The event is run by the Westwood Recreation Department, and has taken place annually for nearly 25 years with help from the Westwood Fire Department.

"We have been doing this for them (Recreation Department) for a long, long time," said Westwood Fire Chief William Scoble. "It came to us from a prior recreation director, and he had brought it from some other area and asked us about it."

Past events have welcomed nearly 200 youngsters of various ages, according to Mike Griffin, manager of fitness programs at the Westwood Recreation Department.

"Usually we get anywhere from 150 kids and up," said Griffin said. "It just depends on the weather. If it's really hot out, seems like we get a great turnout. It's certainly a day that people kind of mark on their calendars, especially if they have younger kids."

Fireman's Foam runs from 2 to 3 p.m. tomorrow at the Deerfield School. In the event of rain, things may be pushed back until next week, Griffin said. But as of now, no plans are in place for postponing the event.