Maryfest red caboose office suffers fire damage July 19

MARYSVILLE — The staff of Maryfest will need to find a new office, in the wake of a July 19 fire at the corner of Cedar Avenue and Fourth Street.

Maryfest Vice President Angie Miller explained that the red caboose which has served as the Maryfest office sustained "significant damage," and that Maryfest itself will need to relocate "for an undetermined amount of time."

Because the caboose is the property of the city of Marysville Parks and Recreation Department, Parks and Recreation Director Jim Ballew joined Maryfest President Bobbi Young in assessing the damage to the caboose July 19. He stated that it was too early to determine the cause of the fire, and reported that the Marysville Fire Department will conduct an investigation into the matter.

Miller noted that the fire was initially put out in the "late afternoon" of July 19, but added that it restarted in the "early evening" of that same day. Ballew helped Maryfest volunteer John Hiatt empty the caboose of equipment and supplies. Miller reported that much of the office sustained either fire, smoke or water damage.

As of press time, Maryfest is still looking for a temporary new location for their office.

"If anyone in the community has a place we could use, we'd be grateful," Miller said. "We are still traveling with the float to other locations, and have already started planning for next year's festival."

Those interested in helping out or learning more can contact Miller via e-mail at angiem@maryfest.com. On behalf of Maryfest, she thanked Marysville firefighters for their quick response time, as well as their help in moving items out of the caboose office.

Contact Marysville Globe Reporter Kirk Boxleitner at kboxleitner@marysvilleglobe.com or 360-659-1300 Ext. 5052.

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