Fireman’s parade returns to Saxonburg VFC Carnival
SAXONBURG — A nearly century-old Saxonburg tradition, the Saxonburg VFC Fireman’s Parade, returned Thursday night, June 29, after an absence of three years, and Saxonburg residents turned out in droves to see what the fire department proclaims to be “the largest fireman’s parade east of the Mississippi.”
“It’s good to have it back, since we didn’t have it for a couple of years,” said parade-goer Jim Yurisic. “It’s nice to have it back for the community.”
Hundreds of Saxonburgers braved the smoggy conditions and lined the parade route, standing three- or four-deep to catch candy thrown from the parade floats and vehicles.
“This is the best part right here ... the Tootsie Rolls,” Yurisic said.
The 71 parade vehicles started down Water Street, passing Roebling Park and the Saxonburg Museum before turning onto Butler Street, then onto Main Street before finishing up at Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church.
The show began at 6:30 p.m. with the Saxonburg VFC fire whistle. Leading the way was a battalion from the Saxonburg Police Department. Just over an hour later, at the tail end of the procession, was a vehicle representing Lernerville Speedway in Sarver.
As the name implied, the bulk of the parade consisted of fire and rescue vehicles from all over Butler County — and some from outside of Butler County, such as the Harrison Hills, Fawn Township and Richland volunteer fire departments.
The Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department brought along two mascots — Sparky the Fire Dog and a costumed fire extinguisher.
Not all of the vehicles taking part in the parade were fire trucks, however. Beauty pageant winners, business owners and community leaders all took part in some form, including the winners of Best in Show in this year’s Fireman’s Carnival Pet Parade that took place on Tuesday.
The Speer family — Zach, Brittany and little Ellie — along with friend Alyssa Kunicki, showed off their prize-winning pig, Miles. As part of a theme, all four, as well as Miles, were dressed as members of the Flintstones family, with Miles playing the role of Dino.
"We were actually the Flintstones last year at the Butler Farm Show,“ Brittany said. "We were at the farm show for our cow costume contest, and we thought Miles would make the perfect little Dino.”
Justin Kovach, a local Realtor who also serves on the Seneca Valley School Board, showed off his sleek sprint racing car on a float to promote his business, the Kovach Realty Team. Kovach races the car himself at Lernerville Speedway from time to time in 305-class events.
“I haven’t had much luck this season,” Kovach said. “But we’re working on it.”
The very first Fireman’s Parade in Saxonburg was held in January 1931 at what was then Saxonburg’s town hall. According to the Saxonburg Museum, 61 people attended that inaugural event. According to some longtime attendees, the parade at its peak featured hundreds of vehicles and went long past sunset.
"It’s gotten smaller,“ said longtime parade-goer Carrie Harbison. ”It used to go for hours, it seemed. When you’re a kid it seems like it’s going a lot longer.“
Still, the wonder was not lost on those who attended for the first time ever, or — in the case of Mark Elder — those who haven’t attended in decades.
"It was great. It was my first time in over 20 years. My kids loved it. It was great,“ Elder said. ”My favorite part was just seeing the kids happy and getting all the candy and treats. That’s the best part. It’s all about the kids.“
