Carnival season has begun in Carroll County, with amusement rides, food and plenty of entertainment.
But the county’s annual firefighters’ carnivals are more than games of skill and cotton candy. They are an opportunity for local volunteer fire companies to raise money to purchase equipment and maintain their stations.
“Carnivals are traditionally intertwined with the arrival of summer in Carroll County,” said Michael Robinson, chief and director for the county’s Department of Fire and Rescue. “Their history is deeply rooted in the culture of our communities and in the volunteer fire companies who host these festive events. More importantly, carnivals continue to be a critical source of revenue for our volunteer companies.”
Although the county continues transitioning to a combination volunteer and paid fire and emergency services department, its 14 volunteer fire companies are still responsible for purchasing and maintaining fire engines, ladder trucks and various support vehicles.
“These units have a life expectancy of around 20 years and today’s replacement costs average $1 million for fire engines and up to $2 million for ladder trucks and rescue squads,” Robinson said. “The purchase of these vehicles rests with the funding efforts of our volunteer fire companies, with the annual carnivals being their major fundraisers.
During the year, companies raise additional money by holding dinners, breakfasts, crab feasts, bingo and raffles.
“Given the significant cost of this equipment, community support of these events [is] important and we encourage everyone to attend and support their local fire company carnivals,” Robinson said. “There is always an opportunity to enjoy great food, games of chance and both adult thrill rides as well as many rides focused for younger children.”
The New Windsor Fire Company carnival is the first of the season — it ran May 20-24.
The remainder of the carnival schedule is as follows:
- May 23-31 (closed May 28): Gamber and Community Fire Company, gambervfd.org
- May 29-31: Union Bridge Fire Company, ubfc8.org
- June 7-14: Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department, sykesvillefire.org
- June 9-14: Taneytown Volunteer Fire Company, tvfc5.org
- June 23-28: Reese Volunteer Fire Company, reesevfc.org
- June 25-28: Harney Fire Company, harneyfire11.org
- June 30-July 5: Manchester Volunteer Fire Company, manchestervfd.org
- July 7-12: Winfield Community Volunteer Fire Department, winfieldvfd.org
- July 21-26: Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company, winfieldvfd.org
- Aug. 4-9: Hampstead Volunteer Fire Company, hampsteadvfd.org
Have a news tip? Contact Sherry Greenfield at sgreenfield@baltsun.com, 240-315-7029.
