A huge two-day fundraising event is set to kick off today at the Aquashicola Fire Company.

The fire company’s second annual Basket Raffle will be held from 3-7 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Vince’s Cheesesteaks food truck will on hand from 2-7 p.m. Friday, and KCL’s food truck will be there from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The drawing will start at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, and attendees are welcome to stay in the hall or watch it live on Facebook.

They do not need to be present to win, according to event coordinator Meredith Koons.

Koons said that as of Thursday, they were at 213 baskets, with a few more trickling in.

“This far exceeded our expectations,” Koons said.

Koons said there are baskets for people of all ages and interests, including hand-crocheted baby blankets and children’s toys - to all ages above, including baskets for those 21-and-older

She said there are also gardening baskets, including ones with live plants; a lot of themed baskets, such as Star Wars, Friends, Disney, and The Office; and for the local crowd, a Blue Bombers basket.

Koons said prizes range from fishing and car washing products to home decor and traveling.

They also have a holiday section for each month of the year (New Years, Valentines, St Patrick’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas).

There are also lottery ticket baskets and plenty of gift cards to area businesses.

The door prize is a 40-inch Vizio Smart TV.

Koons said the fundraiser has quickly become one of the fire company’s biggest fundraisers, and added they’re excited to have added the tradition.

“In 2020, we had to cancel a lot of our fundraising, including our annual Good Friday Fish Fry and renting out our social hall,” Koons said. “Holding this has become an important addition to our fundraising calendar to ensure we can continue to provide top level service to the community.”

Koons said proceeds raised from the event will go toward the purchase of a new tank truck.

“The support received from the community is truly humbling,” she said. “Whether it be through donations or patronizing the various fundraising events held throughout the year, the support does not go unnoticed.”