HAGERSTOWN &mdash Hagerstown firefighters worked feverishly Friday to prepare the Hagerstown Speedway for the Fourth Annual Bonanza Extravaganza.
John Murray, vice president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1605 Foundation, the organization that hosts the event, said the extravaganza is held to raise money for philanthropic causes in Hagerstown. “I could not be more proud,” Murray said. “It is so humbling to put an event like this together that brings 13,000 people through Hagerstown. With that money, we’re able to support charitable organizations.” Murray said $800,000 in prizes &mdash including a Corvette, seven Harley-Davidson motorcycles and cash &mdash will be given away during the two-day event, which began at 4 p.m. Friday. Prize winners will be announced every five minutes from noon today until 9 p.m., when the $100,000 grand prize will be awarded, Murray said. The gates will close at 11 tonight. Murray said the admission price includes a catered meal and is good for both days of the extravaganza. Only 600 people attended the first day of the inaugural Bonanza Extravaganza four years ago, Murray said. That number swelled to 7,000 last year.
Murray said more than 150 hotel rooms have been booked this weekend in Washington County by people who will attend the event.