Volunteer firefighters from the Herman and Saver departments battle it out during the annual Saxonburg Carnival on Main Street in Saxonburg on Wednesday evening. Harold Aughton/Special to the Eagle

SAXONBURG — At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, crowds gathered to watch the annual Battle of the Barrel on East Main Street, and after just one round, much of the audience found itself completely soaked.

Organized by the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, the battle is part of the borough’s 94th annual Fireman’s Carnival.

Jeff Bowser, lieutenant, leads the team of Herman volunteer firefighters into the Saxonburg water battle Wednesday. Harold Aughton/Special to the Eagle

The Battle of the Barrel pitted two teams against each other spraying jets of water at an old keg barrel tied up in the middle on a wire.

The first team to push the keg all the way back behind the other team would win the round. Four teams — fewer in number than usual — that represented different fire departments in the area competed altogether.

Andy Freehling, second lieutenant with Saxonburg, said that the water battle is an integral part of the carnival. Freehling said he estimated around 75 to 100 spectators at this year’s battle.

“Everyone likes to come out,” Freehling said. “Kids like to splash around the water.”

The battle will be followed by the fireman’s parade on Thursday. The carnival will conclude Friday with a 50/50 giveaway for winners of the battle.

Firefighters from Herman and Saver battle it out during the Annual Saxonburg Carnival on main street in Saxonburgh Wednesday evening. Harold Aughton/Special to the Eagle

Dave Rennick, 2nd assistant chief for Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, acted as the official referee during the annual water battle. Harold Aughton/Special to the Eagle

Jaxson Duric,6, of Sarver and Madeline Thompson,7, of Saxonburg enjoyed the water from the Fireman's Water Battle Wednesday. Harold Aughton/Special to the Eagle

Luke Kronebert and Molly Kronebert, of Cabot, enjoy snow cones with their 4-year-old son, Wesley, prior to watching the water battle at the Saxonburg Fireman's Carnival on Wednesday, June 25. Haorld Aughton/Special to the Eagle

Friends and neighbors Kenzie,9, and Nora, 9, shared an umbrella during the Saxonburg Firemans' water battle Wednesday. Harold Aughton/Special to the Eagle

Friends and neighbors Kenzie,9, and Nora, 9, wisely brought an umbrella to the Saxonburg Firemans' water battle Wednesday. Harold Aughton/Special to the Eagle