Millbrook's Firemen's Parade

MILLBROOK — Spectators in lawn chairs, people on their porches, visitors sitting on stoops — they all watched the Millbrook Firemen’s Parade on Saturday night, July 10. Fire departments, ladies auxiliaries, bands and bagpipers marched from the Tribute Garden to the Firemen’s Carnival by the Thorne Building.

The village was alive with activity from one end of Franklin Avenue to the other. People strolled and talked to each other along the parade route. Music blasted and beer flowed at the dance tent. Millbrook Fire Department volunteers cooked sausages on the grill and ran the bingo games. Children hurtled down the Fun Slide on burlap bags. Everyone appeared to be having a great time.

Heading up the parade of 23 fire departments and 10 accompanying musical groups was former chief Chris Hawks, followed by elected officials. Laura Hurley, newly appointed Millbrook  mayor, rode all by herself in her new official capacity in a Corvette convertible. Village Trustee Buddy Cox waved from another convertible with village Trustees Tom Whalen and Stan Morse inside.  

“It’s the first time I was able to participate,� Cox commented after the parade. “This parade makes Millbrook a destination this evening. It’s great to see so many people in the village.�

Before the parade was over the Union Vale rescue truck turned on its siren and raced up Franklin to a call, reminding the crowd of the critical services that these community volunteers provide. Near the end of the parade the first motorized firetruck in all of Dutchess County, the Hopewell 1, a 1921 Ford Model T21 pumper and chemical engine, from East Fishkill, rolled up the street — a testament to the long tradition of celebrating firefighters and their summer parades.

Every firemen’s parade is a competition and trophies are awarded. It’s not the Olympics or the World Cup, but it is serious. Judges from the Westchester County Parade Judges Association were present along the parade route evaluating every detail and rating each group on specific criteria.

This all-volunteer organization of former chiefs sent 12 judges to systematically grade the regulation of each fire company, the condition and design of their marching uniforms, every engine and ladder. Music specialists rated the marching bands. Because Millbrook was the host it could not be awarded any prizes. The big winners of Saturday’s parade were Union Vale as the best overall, and JH Ketcham, the town of Dover Fire Department, for best regulation, best ladder and best antique.  The best senior musical unit was the Tarrytown VFW.

For Teri Agins, a visiting journalist found on the stoop of Reardon Briggs, this was her first firemen’s parade.

“It had a very Americana, small-town feel and I never knew there were yellow and blue fire trucks,â€� she said.  

In contrast, Andrew Black from the town of Washington has been coming to the parade for 20 years and knew to bring his own chair.

“It’s always a wonderful event. I come every year,� he said.

The next parade for the Millbrook Fire Department is on Friday night, July 16, at 7 p.m., in Dover Plains.

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