BOALSBURG — The Boalsburg Fire Company works for the community all year long, always on call and ready to help when an emergency happens. And on the biggest holiday of the year in Boalsburg, it is busy with a parade and carnival, meeting people and showing the public what it can do.
The event is one of the company’s three biggest fundraisers. After the events were canceled the past two years due to COVID-19 restrictions, the volunteers are ready to be on center stage again and interact with the public that it serves so well.
The carnival kicks off on Thursday night with rides, games, food stands and bingo. Hamburgers, hot dogs, hot sausage sandwiches, sloppy Joes, French fries and BBQ chicken dinners are all part of the fun. Wristband nights that allow unlimited rides for $20 are big hits on Thursday and Sunday nights.
Parade day is Saturday and it brings fire companies from around the county and gives a chance to show off all the hard work they do to keep their equipment in tip-top shape.
Kicking off at 5 p.m., the parade also serves as a friendly competition for area emergency responders.
All fire apparatus and ambulance entries are judged prior to the parade, with the chance of winning a trophy for being the best in their class.
Judging is based on equipment carried, knowledge of the personnel on that apparatus and the cleanliness of the unit.
A highlight for the Boalsburg Fire Company is a hand-carried hose cart that has been with the company since it started serving the area in 1903. Restored and shiny, it is an antique the company is proud to parade around.
The cart’s history goes back even further, as it was used in Brooklyn, N.Y., prior to being purchased by Boalsburg. It was the first piece of firefighting equipment owned by the company.
The parade is one of the first summer events in the county and it kind of kicks off the season. It is one of the highest attended parades in area.
