$50K Grand Prize Awarded In Montauk's Exciting Big Bucks Bonanza

MONTAUK, NY — Excitement was in the air Sunday as the winners were drawn in the Montauk Fire Department's annual "Big Bucks Bonanza."

Montauk Fire Department Second Assistant Chief Mickey Valcich opened the gates 15 minutes early this year, signifying the official start of the event.

After an hour of food and drink, Montauk's Sara Stuckart sang "The National Anthem."

Then came the moment the crowd had been waiting for: Little "MFD Superstars" picked the lucky tickets from the drum, and MFD Ex-Chief Michael Mirras, Treasurer Dick White, and First Assistant Chief David Ryan announced the winners of 61 cash prizes, including the top prize of $50,000.

Photos by Richard Lewin Professional Photography, soniboy@aol.com.

Reporting by Richard Lewin.