By Vanesa Brashier, editor@bluebonnetnews.com
Nearly 500 people attended the Fifth Annual Boots and Bullets fundraiser to benefit Dayton Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. The fundraiser is the largest annual event for the fire department, which relies heavily on the support of the community to purchase fire gear, equipment and apparatus.
“We think we are in the ballpark of around $35,000 raised from the event, but we won’t know that for sure until all the final numbers are in,” said Fire Chief Murphy Green.
The day-long event started early Saturday morning with a cook-off for the best gumbo, chili and chef’s choice, and ended with a steak dinner, live and silent auctions and a dance featuring local bands.
“We sold around 40 sponsor tables,” said Dayton Police Capt. John Coleman Saturday night as he waited for the live auction to begin with Dayton auctioneer Brady Hanson.
Every year, Coleman and others at the police department lend their support to the Boots and Bullets fundraisers. They see first-hand how much time and energy the firefighters volunteer for the greater good of the community.
“These events are so well-attended and supported by the community that it’s usually standing-room only in the ballroom by the end of the evening,” Coleman said.
The fire chief is grateful for the support.
“It says a lot right there when people show up like this to help us out,” said Chief Green.
Note: As soon as results for the cook-off are available, this article will be updated.
David Rodgers and Alvin Burress, members of the Dayton Volunteer Fire Department, pitched in to help with the Boots and Bullets event on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. Boots and Bullets is an annual event to benefit the volunteer fire department. 
Dayton City Manager Theo Melancon (wearing a Boots and Bullets cap) visits with George Giannukos and Nan Headrick at Boots and Bullets on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. 
Elliott Melancon, son of Dayton City Manager Theo Melancon and wife, Cecilia, enjoyed the attention of Dayton City Councilwoman Sherial Lawson at the Boots and Bullets event on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. 
The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office was represented by members of the department at the Boots and Bullets event on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. 
Pat and Tammi Griffin “cut a rug” at the Boots and Bullets event on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. The couple are the in-laws to Dayton Police Capt. John Coleman. 
Jason West and West of the Trinity perform at the Boots and Bullets event on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. 
Liberty County Pct. 5 Constable David Hunter and wife, Melanie, place a bid on an item at the Boots and Bullets fundraiser for the Dayton Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. 
Local realtor Elizabeth Robertson places a bid on an item at the Boots and Bullets fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community. The proceeds of the annual event go toward the Dayton Volunteer Fire Department. 
Dayton’s new police chief, Robert Vine, and wife, Kristy, attend their first Boots and Bullets on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. 
Tonya Smikal browses items up for auction at the Boots and Bullets event on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. 
Dayton Mayor Pro Tem Dr. John Johnson and Dayton ISD Superintendent Dr. Jessica Johnson hope no one outbids them as they make their way through the auction items at Boots and Bullets on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. 
Representing the Pct. 4 Road and Bridge Department, Les Abner and Joshua Mitchell each prepared entries for the Boots and Bullets cook-off on Saturday, Jan. 26. Abner made chili while Mitchell made deep-fried boudain balls and gumbo. 
Mark Campbell created a hearty gumbo with ample cuts of meat for the Boots and Bullets cook-off on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. 
Dayton Firefighter and City Councilman Alvin Burress serves up some gumbo to Kyle Lott at the Boots and Bullets cook-off on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. The cook-off is part of a full day of events to benefit the Dayton VFD. 
Liberty County Pct. 4 Constable Robby Thornton shows off the chili he made for the Boots and Bullets cook-off on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. 
Dan Votaw prepares a sample for the judges at the Boots and Bullets cook-off. Votaw’s gumbo included chicken, sausage and shrimp. 
Keegan Johnson and Scott O’Neil prepare samples for the judges at the Boots and Bullets Cook-off on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. They competed in two categories – gumbo and chili. Johnson made the chicken and sausage gumbo while O’Neil made chili. 
Mike Hadjik made gumbo while his partner, Robin Nagle, prepared chili for the Boots and Bullets cook-off on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. 
Melanie Croker and son, Daniel Croker, were serving up gumbo, chili and banana split lush at the Boots and Bullets cook-off on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center. 
Melanie Croker (right) serves up tasty gumbo at her booth at the Boots and Bullets event on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Dayton Community Center.