There's a SPAAMFAA chapter in nearby Independence, MO. Their group name is the Harry S. Truman 76 Fire Company. Every year they hold a muster called Firefest. It's small but growing, which pleases me.
Before moving to the Midwest, we lived in the Northeast, not far from New York City. There were - and still are - fire musters all over up that way. My favorite was the one held at the Kensico Dam in northern Westchester County, just north of NYC. There were also parades dedicated to fire apparatus, old and new. The Bridgewater, CT VFD held carnivals for fundraisers that opened on Friday evening with a parade that lasted several hours!
So there isn't too much of that out here. Ok, I can live with it. But, the 76rs do a good job, and like I said, Firefest grows a little bit each year. I'm pleased for that.
I took Gracie, who is 2 now. That's why I don't have many photos. As is any healthy 2 year old, she is very active and very curious. We had a lot of fun.
There was a 1928 American LaFrance drafting from a portable pond, supplying dual 3" lines to a portable monitor that was set up with a fog tip, squirting in the air, like a giant fountain that folks could walk/run through to cool off if they do chose. I don't know the actual flow, but it was decent, and what impressed me more was the engine was at idle! They don't build'm like that anymore!
They also had some kiddie play houses set up with "fire" in the windows, so young'ns could squirt the "fire". Gracie watched the other kids and then looked at me. I gave her the knob (it was a garden hose) and asked if she wanted to know how to do it right, like what we do at work? "OH YEAH!"
So... I helped her "make the stretch" to the front door and I coached her thru hitting "the fire" from there and going in. She was in, until other kids opened up and squirted us (yard breather style opposing streams...). I tried to get her to use the wall for cover and squirt them back thru the window, from the inside-out. But, I think she was too confused. Hey, she only just turned two. I'll give her a break - there's always next year! ;-)
We also rode on the 76r's 1960 Seagrave pumper. She didn't show much emotion during the rides (we rode twice) but she did when we got down - she cried and protested!
Here's a video of us on one of the rides in the back of the Seagrave engine! CLICK HERE!
Here's a quick video of the Seagrave on another fun run for a group of fans! CLICK HERE!
