Fireman's
carnival is a family tradition
BY JAMES RADA JR.
Thurmont News Editor
THURMONT,
Md. – People began lining East Main Street more than an
hour before the annual parade started. By the time the roughly
200 vehicles and groups started down the street at 6:30 p.m.
on July 13, spectators were two, three or more deep along the
parade route.
It took
about an hour and a half for all the vintage cars, fire and
rescue equipment, political candidates, bands and baton twirlers
to pass. Many of the parade participants threw candy to the
crowd and children scrambled to fill bags faster than they
can on Halloween night.
The parade
is the highlight of the fireman’s carnival. Donnie Stitely,
carnival chairman for Guardian Hose Company, said as far as
he can tell, it’s been an annual event in Thurmont for
at least 90 years.
Following
the parade, most of the spectators crowded onto the carnival
grounds for one of the busiest nights of the weeklong carnival.
Visitors enjoyed the rides, food, music and games.
Chris
Souris attended with his wife JoLane and daughter Leah. They
live in town and regularly come to the carnival.
“I
like to come for the food,” Chris said.
JoLane
said because the carnival is in the summer, Leah gets to see
school friends she hasn’t seen in weeks. They all also
get to see neighbors and friends.
“It
still has a very small-town feel and it’s a family friendly
affair,” she added.
William
and Leila Spahr came from Rocky Ridge to enjoy the games.
William wanted to win a goldfish. “It only cost me 16
bucks when I did it at the Walkersville carnival,” he
joked.
He and
his wife enjoy the carnival as a date. They can come play
a few games, get a meal to eat and have a good time.
Audrey
and Tim Demarais have volunteered to run games and booths
at the carnival for six years. Tim is a social member of the
Guardian Hose Company and his son is an active member.
Despite
the heat, Audrey said, “I love it. I like seeing and
talking to the people who come by.”
Though
the carnival is a fun community event, it also serves an important
purpose for the Guardian Hose Company. It is their principal
fundraiser to run the fire company.
“It’s
very important,” Stitely said. “We depend a lot
on it. We try to get $60,000.”
Roughly
a third of the company’s annual budget comes from proceeds
from the carnival.
“We
do very well, better than a lot of carnivals,” Stitely
said. “We watch our expenses and we also get additional
sponsors to help us.”
Now that
the 2006 carnival is finished, Stitely is already starting
to plan for next year’s event.
Editor’s
Note: See carnival and parade photographs...
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