Ridgway firefighters are preparing for a weeklong celebration of their department and their community, which will begin on Monday.
This year’s event is set for July 23-28 in Ridgway.
“This will be our 85th carnival,” said Frank Quattrone, who noted that he is just one of the many people whose efforts go into making the event happen.
“That is a total fire department membership effort!” he said.
That effort not only results in a good time for the community; it also helps keep emergency services up and running.
“The carnival is one of our main fundraisers for our fire department, and it’s very important with all the costs associated in the fire department,” said Quattrone. “The proceeds go towards just about everything we do.
“One air pack costs an average of $5,000; a set of new turnout gear for one fireman is over $2,500 to $3,000 dollars,” he said. Money is needed for equipment maintenance, too, according to Quattrone. Also, “Workers comp insurance has gone up almost $10,000 for an average fire department, and the list goes on.”
Some of the biggest attractions to the carnival are the pet parade Tuesday evening, the fireworks on Thursday night and the annual firemen’s parade on Saturday, though there are many other activities happening during the week, according to Quattrone.
Food and raffle drawings will take place every day of the event. Unique activities are scheduled for each day, too.
The event kicks off Monday with entertainment by The Moore Brothers from 6 to 10 p.m.
On Tuesday, the carnival rides will open following the annual pet parade, with lineup starting at 5:30 p.m. and the parade starting at 6 p.m.
The carnival opens at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the Special Olympics will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., and the carnival will reopen at 6 p.m. Fireworks will begin after the 10 p.m. drawing.
Matinee Day for rides will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. July 27; for this, attendees will pay a one-time fee of $20 to ride from 1 to 5 p.m. The carnival will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight, too. A mountain bike, courtesy of Powers Midway, will be given away at midnight.
The annual firemen’s parade will be July 28, with lineup starting at noon at the Motion Control rear parking lot at the end of Gillis Avenue. The parade will begin promptly at 4 p.m.
Floats and bands will be judged when they pass the judges’ stand on Main Street, and all awards will be announced about an hour after the parade at the money stand. The carnival will open right after the parade.
Quattrone said there are about 60 entries right now in the renowned parade, and there is still time to sign up.
Besides funding, another vital resource for local fire departments is one that is becoming harder and harder to come by: volunteers.
“The fire department is always in need of new members who might have the time to spend on the training,” Quattrone said. “But there are other jobs that someone can do as well, from fire police or the auxiliary.”
More information about the carnival or fire department or to sign up to take part in the parade, visit www.rfd4.org.
