A sorely missed feature of Saxonburg Fireman’s Carnival week will return this year, as local firefighters shine up their trucks for the traditional Fireman’s Parade.

Paul Donaldson, carnival chairman at the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, said the Fireman’s Parade was not held the last two years.

This year, the Saxonburg Fireman’s Carnival will be Tuesday, June 27, to Saturday, July 1.

Admission is free and gates open at 6:30 p.m., Donaldson said.

The Pet Parade will kick off the carnival at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 27. The Fireman’s Parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 29.

The popular Fireman’s Parade traditionally saw parade-goers standing three and four people deep along Main Street’s sidewalks to view the parade or snatch up a piece of candy thrown from a fire truck.

Donaldson said area fire departments are still clamoring to enter their gleaming machines in the parade.

“It was part of the original carnival when it started in 1931,” Donaldson said of the parade.

This year’s Fireman’s Parade was opened to area businesses as well, he said.

“We’ve gotten a great response,” Donaldson said.

The parade will start at Roebling Park, proceed west on Water Street, then turn onto Butler Street to get to Main Street, where the procession will turn left down Main and end at Rebecca Street.

Judges will award one prize in each of several categories for the firetrucks.

Donaldson said the traditional fireman’s water battle will return next year.

The Pet Parade, which will see locals leading their fuzzy, furry and feathered companions down Main Street, returned last year after the carnival and parades were nixed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Pet Parade was again canceled in the scaled-down version of events in 2021.

The parade will be held again this year, and it will kick off the carnival in its usual whimsical way.

Donaldson said anyone can just show up with their pet at 5:30 p.m. at Saxonburg Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, June 27.

Pets must be leashed or contained to participate in the parade.

Judges will select one winner in each of the categories in the Pet Parade.

The barking, quacking and mewing will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the church and proceed west on Main Street, turn left onto Pittsburgh Street, and end at the carnival grounds, where prizes will be handed out.

“This is the only day all week when you are allowed to bring your pets to the carnival,” Donaldson said.

Many families go all out for the event, dressing themselves and their pet according to a theme.

“We’ve seen everything from somebody carrying their hamster to, one year, when we had a camel,” Donaldson said.

One entrant brought her skunks last year.

“That was a crowd-pleaser,” Donaldson said.

As for the carnival itself, the usual vendors offering hot sausage, funnel cakes, lemonade and other tempting treats will be available.

Donaldson hopes those who attend will choose the firemen’s stand for their dinner, a snack or dessert, as it benefits the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company and Ambulance Service.

The firemen’s stand will offer its signature dish, deep-fried mushrooms, on opening night and for as long as supplies hold out.

“We didn’t have them last year due to supply issues,” Donaldson said. “The number of people who ask for mushrooms is incredible.”

A 50/50 raffle provided $4,000 to one lucky ticket holder last year.

“It would be great to double that amount this year,” Donaldson said.

He said many businesses step up as sponsors each year for the parades and carnival, including gate sponsors that allow those who attend to get into the carnival free.

“It’s such a blessing that these folks are able to sponsor us,” Donaldson said.

Doug Sprankle said Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market is serving as a gate sponsor for the second year, and will close its store at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 29, to provide parking in his store’s lot for those attending the Fireman’s Parade.

“I truly believe in what the fire company offers the community,” Sprankle said of his support for the parade and carnival. “It helps the fire department generate money, which they use to outfit the fire vehicles and ambulance service.”

He, like many others, looks forward to the tradition of the Saxonburg Fireman’s Carnival and its parades.

“Nostalgia is really cool,” Sprankle said, “and a lot of people volunteer a lot of time.”