SPRAYS OF water fly through the air during the Firefighter Water Battle.

MARTINS FERRY — A hot and steamy Saturday afternoon provided the perfect setting for the annual Firefighter Water Battle in Martins Ferry.

It was preceded by a parade of fire engines, ambulances and other vehicles belonging to the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department and other local VFDs from municipalities such as Bridgeport, Shadyside and Benwood.

As the firefighters prepared for the battle, children waited patiently in anticipation of getting to play and splash in the puddles and tiny creeks that form on Fourth Street during the event.

Martins Ferry resident Heather Selby brought her son Jace Selby, 5, to see the festivities for the first time.

“I’ve been here before, but he loves fire trucks,” Selby said of her son.

When asked what he liked best about the vehicles, Jace said, “They spray water, and I like the color red on them.”

Before the battle began, Jace was among several children who took advantage of a fire hose lying on the ground with some water running out of it. Jace and other kids cooled their feet in its stream.

Hannah Tsetsakis of Martins Ferry brought her newborn daughter, Hailie, and boyfriend Justin Briggs to see the parade and battle.

“I’m new to the area. This is the first time I’ve been to something like this. Last year they didn’t have it because of COVID,” she said.

Martins Ferry resident Marjorie Patterson said this was the second year she attended the parade and battle since moving into a nearby high rise.

“It’s just something to get out of the building and watch,” she said.

The parade and battle preceded the final evening of the Betty Zane Days festival, which is an annual event organized by the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department and held at the City Park. This year’s fest, sponsored by The Times Leader featured games, food, inflatables and live music. The 2020 festival wasn’t held because of COVID-19 pandemic.

The battle itself involves teams of firefighters using hoses to spray a large metal canister suspended on a line above. Whichever team sprays it toward and reaches the other team’s starting point is the winner.