subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Thu, Nov 05 2009 

Published: June 17, 2009 11:22 pm    print this story  

TWIN CITIES: Yearly firefighter’s parade on tap Saturday

By Neale Gulley
E-mail Neale

The Tonawanda News

For the 129th consecutive year this Saturday, both Twin Cities will take part in the annual firefighters parade, to be held in North Tonawanda this year.

“It’s a long standing parade. You know years ago in the glory days they had this on a Monday and the banks and the schools closed. That’s how big this was. There’s a lot of history involved in this parade,” City of Tonawanda Fire Chief Charles Stuart said.

Everything from antique trucks featuring bells to some of the city’s most cutting edge new apparatus will be featured in the parade, preceded by a ceremonial inspection at each house and followed by food and beer for firefighters and their families at Fireman’s Park on Two Mile Creek Road.

The regular event is expected to draw onlookers lining the streets to watch units set to step off at 2 p.m. at the corner of Robinson and Oliver streets.

About six units, their members, trucks and accompanying marching bands will fan out in several directions: south on Oliver street, west on Goundry, south on Webster; then, over the Renaissance Bridge before heading south on Main Street, east on Broad toward a reviewing stand to be set up in front of the American Legion Post 264 on Main Street.

“There are not a lot of things that are 129 years old,” Stuart said. “There may have been a lapse during World War I or World War II, we don’t have any official documentation on that.” Stuart said.

Around noon, elected officials and fire officials will inspect each department.

“Leading up to the inspection, every single piece of apparatus and every piece of equipment on the apparatus has been washed up cleaned and the trucks have been waxed,” he said.

In addition, each paid and volunteer member of each department will be expected to turn out in their neatly pressed uniforms.

In addition, two retired chiefs will feature in the parade this year.

Former North Tonawanda Chief David Rogge, and retired City Chief Thomas Miller will lead the parade.

A press kit on this year’s event also takes care to mention the several bands that will accompany the parade’s offshoots:

Sanborn marching band will accompany National Hose; Union Hook and Ladder has the Pine Hill Drum Corps, while Delaware Hose 2 has the original Tonawanda Clown band, which Stuart called a “fan favorite.”

“These guys, they’re great,” Stuart said. “They’re a crazy marching band.”

Niagara Hose Fire Company 3 will be accompanied by the Kendall Fire Company marching band.

Perhaps the only real change to the event this year involves the traditional celebration at Two Mile Creek Road, which will not be extended to the general public this year.

“The benevolent kind of freaked out so we had to take that out,” Stuart said. “They saw a copy of it and said ‘no we don’t want the public invited.”

The issue seems to center on the permit for having alcohol served, though it is not being sold.

“The insurance covers firefighters, I think that was one of the issues,” Stuart said. “It increases the liability.”

Contact reporter Neale Gulley at 693-1000, ext. 114.

print this story  



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Featured Jobs

Nurses

NURSES

RN - LPN

Join our progressive
health care team

FT-PT - Per Diem
...>MORE

cosmetologist teacher
Cosmetologists NYS lic., will train to teach NYS cosmetology curriculum 836-6240 or fax 836-3571...>MORE

Registered Nurse First Assistant
REGISTERED NURSE FIRST ASSISTANT. Per diem position. Current NYS RN license with accredited RNFA course required. Must p...>MORE

Nursing Manager
NURSING MANAGER-TELEMETRY. Full-time evenings. 9.5 hour shifts. NYS RN license with min. two years nursing experience wi...>MORE

Coach
COACH, Men’s Soccer. Niagara County Community College is seeking a head coach for the men’s soccer team. Please see web ...>MORE

automotive service technician
Service greeter wanted, PT entry level. Looking for someone with strong customer service skills to work in our fast grow...>MORE

Wait Staff
WAIT STAFF P/T 11am -2pm or 3:15-6:45pm. Will train. Apply Amberleigh Retirement, 2330 Maple near Transit. ...>MORE

LPN
LPN Lewiston, overnight; Pediatric LPN, Tona, days /nights; Pediatric nurses. NF, days & nights. Diana, Allstate Home...>MORE

Service Greeter
Service greeter wanted, PT entry level. Looking for someone with strong customer service skills to work in our fast grow...>MORE

COLLECTORS
Exp. collectors, high hrly., low cash goals, 20% overage, 500 4 hitting, Chuck @ 597-2538...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

Ford Windstar 1998
FORD 1998 Windstar $1000 or best offer.
298-5220
...>MORE

Ford 1995 1 Ton Van
FORD 1995 1 ton van, high mileage, 3 bench seats, stud snows, stereo, $1300 or bo, 417-1050...>MORE

Chevy Astro 1999
CHEVY ASTRO   GOOD CONDITION  1999  with 113K miles.   Asking: $2200.00.  Call: 693 2471:...>MORE

Ford 1999 Ranger
FORD 1999 Ranger, 5 speed, 130K, fair condition, $2000 or best offer, 716-310-0531...>MORE

Pontiac 1999 Montana
PONTIAC 1999 Montana 57,000 original miles, full options, like new, $3300, 694-0441...>MORE

Mercury 1999 Grand Marquis
Mercury ‘99 Grand Marquis 4 dr, leather, all options, 49k org mi., showroom cond. $6000. 860-2854, ...>MORE

See all ads




 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index