YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y.—One of Yorktown’s longest-standing traditions returns this month, as the annual Yorktown Heights Volunteer Firemen’s Parade and Carnival kicks off Wednesday, June 25, with the parade at 7 p.m.
The carnival runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday (June 26 and 27), noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 28 and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 29.
Jeff Wilson, president of the department, said the more-than-100-year-old event – the department’s largest fundraiser – reflects the dedication of its members. All proceeds go directly back into supporting the department.
While turnout often depends on the weather, Wilson said the carnival, which runs through Sunday, June 29, typically sees its biggest crowds on Friday and Saturday nights. He said everything from rides, raffles and entertainment to food and alcohol for those 21 and older helps bring the community together.
Wilson said sausage and peppers, and zeppoles, tend to be highlights in the food department.
Planning is no small feat, Wilson told Yorktown News. Though it is a lot of work, he said the event makes department members “fun tired” and a “happy tired” when they see the turnout and community support.
Come March, the department begins meeting regularly. By May 1, permits are being secured, the firehouse is getting cleaned up, vendors are being contacted, and food is being ordered. Firefighters begin signing up and receiving their assignments.
“It’s really all about community,” Wilson said, noting that even those who haven’t been active with the department in recent years still show up to help.
“It brings us all back together,” he said. “Our chaplain says that we’re just a giant family.”
Wilson added that the event brings affordable family fun to the community.
“It’s a good, safe, clean place for people to come and have a good time,” he said. “We try to keep our costs for our food down—we want to make it affordable for people to come. We could charge twice as much as we’re charging for a sausage and pepper or hamburger, but I think that would hurt people coming.”
He added that people can still “have a reasonably good time at a reasonably, you know, affordable cost.”
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