MARTINS FERRY — Get ready for one of the most anticipated and refreshing traditions of the summer: the annual Fireman’s Water Battle, part of the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department’s Betty Zane Days Festival this week.

This event blends friendly competition, firehouse skills and community spirit in a high-energy showdown that draws fans from across the Upper Ohio Valley.

Backed again by Unified Bank, the water battle offers a crowd-pleasing mix of teamwork and pure fun, and yes, a little overspray to help beat the summer heat.

“The water battle is part competition, part celebration,” said Fire Chief II Justin Smith. “It’s a chance for us to come together with other departments, show off a little skill, and enjoy the camaraderie that defines our VFD family. And the community loves it, especially the kids who get caught in the mist!

“It’s more than a game; it’s a valley tradition,” Smith added.

Held each year on Fourth Street between Unified Bank and the Martins Ferry Ladder Station, the water battle takes place Saturday, immediately following the Annual Fireman’s Parade.

It’s a great spot for spectators and a can’t-miss event for festival-goers.

The rules are simple, but the challenge is real: teams of two firefighters from local volunteer departments, including Martins Ferry, Bridgeport, Bellaire, Tiltonsville and others, face off with 1¾-inch hoses, aiming a fine spray at a metal keg suspended on a cable. The first team to push the keg past the opposing line wins. It’s fast-paced, fun to watch, and a powerful example of the agility, precision and coordination required in firefighting.

“It’s a bit like tug-of-war meets kick the can, only with a lot more water,” Smith explained. “Success comes down to speed, control and trust in your teammate. And maybe a little luck.”

Unified Bank said in a news release that it is honored to continue its support as the primary sponsor of the Fireman’s Water Battle, reinforcing its strong ties to the community and its commitment to the people who serve it.

“We look forward to this tradition every year,” said Scott Everson, chairman, president and CEO of Unified Bank. “It’s fun, it’s meaningful, and it reflects the heart of what community really is. At Unified, we believe in creating better lives and brighter futures for the people and places we serve, and this event is a shining example of that mission.”

“The Water Battle isn’t just an audience favorite, it’s a celebration of the courage and commitment that define our region’s volunteer firefighters,” the release states. “Whether you’re cheering from the curb or soaking in the spray, it’s a moment that brings Martins Ferry together.

“Come out, cool off, and help us celebrate our first responders. We’ll see you Saturday on Fourth Street.”

Betty Zane Days runs from Wednesday through Saturday in Martins Ferry City Park.