Edmonds Waterball Competition Today at 2:30 p.m. at City Park

Area firefighters will put their skills on display in the annual An Edmonds Kind of Fourth Waterball Competition beginning at 2:30 p.m. at City Park, Third Avenue South and Pine Street.

Volunteer firefighters from Snohomish County Fire District 1 will host the free event that has been a Fourth of July tradition in Edmonds for years.

“Many families picnic in the park and watch the competition after the parade and before the fireworks show,” said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Fire District 1, which provides fire and emergency medical service to Edmonds.

“Waterball is a little like tug-of-war with water,” Hynes explained. “Two teams of three firefighters compete in each round using a fire hose to blast water at a ball suspended on a long overhead cable. The first team to push the ball over to the opposing team’s side wins.”

It takes a combination of teamwork, good communications and hose-line proficiency to win the competition, Hynes said.

“Waterball may be just fun and games, but it requires some of the same skills firefighters need to successfully fight a fire.”

After the competition, children will have an opportunity to spray water from the fire hose.

Fire equipment and trucks will also be on display including the restored 1925 REO Speedwagon that once served residents in both Edmonds and Fire District 1.