For 50 years, the Magnolia Springs Volunteer Fire Department has served the town and residents, and it will host a celebra yion on May 14 at the lot next door to the station.

At Tuesday’s town council meeting, the council approved the department’s application to use town property for the party.

MSVFD Capt. Bryan Shutt said past and present firefighters are invited to attend, along with any resident of Magnolia Springs. The event will take place from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will include a disc jockey, an inflatable for kids and a tent for food.   

“It’s a way for old and current firefighters to celebrate 50 years of service to Magnolia Springs,” Shutt said.

The town fire department began in 1961 and first operated out of the current town hall building. Now it is the building on Gates Avenue, which was built around 10 years ago.

“This building, when we remodeled it, there were two garage doors and it housed two fire trucks,” Magnolia Springs Mayor Charles Houser said.

Shutt said there are currently 40 members on staff in the department, and it is completely volunteer.

“That is including our Explorer Program,” Shutt said. “Basically, anyone from 14 years old to 21 years old can come and participate with us. There are restrictions. It’s through the Boy Scouts of America.”

In other news, the council approved resolutions:

• adopting the Baldwin County Mitigation Plan.

• supporting the Community Services Block Grant.