PAWLING – The Pawling Fire Department opened its annual carnival Aug. 3 at Lakeside Park and will continue through Saturday, Aug. 6, culminating in a fireworks display beginning at dusk Saturday.
On Friday evening, several neighboring fire departments from Dutchess and Putnam counties as well as Connecticut joined the Pawling Volunteer Fire Department for a parade from town hall to the carnival at Lakeside Park to the delight of many.
The parade was led by Acting Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati. For many years, Imperati’s predecessor, the late Sheriff Butch Anderson, manned the microphone for the parade in his hometown. “I’m very humbled by this opportunity,” Imperati said. “Butch loved this parade and carnival and looked forward to it every year. I am honored to carry on the tradition.”
“We are the only fire department in Dutchess County that is having a county carnival and parade this year,” said Pawling Fire Chief Everett White. “Our carnival brings the community together for affordable fun and gives our fellow firefighters a chance to come together for a parade, while also helping the department raise the funds we use to keep this dedicated department running.
Firefighters from 11 departments, dressed in their dress uniforms, battled the excessive heat and humidity to the delight of onlookers.
When the parade was over, the judges determined that the Union Vale Fire Department was worthy of the “Best Overall” trophy and received the grand trophy. The JH Ketcham Fire Department of Dover, led by Capt. Dan Schultz, received the trophy for “Best Arrangement,” according to the judges.
“I look forward to this carnival every year,” said Donna Glover of nearby Danbury, Connecticut. “Our family really likes the parade and we usually come back the next day for the rides and fireworks. It’s a really fun event.”
