Youngstown Fire Co.’s Field Days next Sunday and Monday

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, August 25, 2007

A traditional Labor Day favorite, the annual Youngstown Fire Company
firemen’s parade gets under way at noon at the Fort Niagara gate.

Youngstown still will be the place to be Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend as the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Company sponsors its annual Fireman’s Field Days.

Next weekend’s event at Veterans Park does have an unexpected glitch to overcome. The big rides company the fire department usually contracts with didn’t let organizers know until spring that they would not be available, too late for a replacement to be found.

“There’s a lot of other stuff to do,” said Greg Robertson, fire department president, pointing out that games, food, raffles, music, a parade, crafts, kiddie rides and a car show will be featured to end the summer in style.

Organizers said rumors have been reported that there would be no rides or games, which is not true.

Smaller, But Still Fun

David Truesdale, field days chairman, said the company contracted for the small rides will not only bring a selection of kiddie rides, but a rock climbing wall and food concession and game trailers, including I Got It! and a NASCAR race game.

“One local organization has stepped up with a brand new game,” he added.

The Porter Historical Society will offer old-fashioned fun with a Cake Walk, which is similar to musical chairs, Truesdale said. Donated homemade cakes and pies will be awarded as prizes.

Local groups such as the Lions, Lewiston Porter Youth Football and the Presbyterian Youth Group will be returning with their booths.

“The only thing missing will be the big rides,” said Truesdale, noting that the fire company is negotiating with three different big ride companies for next year. “As the football teams always say, this is going to be our rebuilding year.”

Sunday Events

Sunday’s (Sept. 2) events will run from 6 to 10 p.m. Crafters will set up from 6 p.m. to dusk. Food concessions open at 6 p.m. The games of chance and the beer tent (with Soul Committee providing music) will be open from 6 to 10 p.m.

On Monday (Sept. 3), the annual bulk chicken chowder sale begins at 8 a.m., and continues until the popular treat runs out. Cost is $4 per quart or $15 per gallon. Bring your own quart container or containers will be available at the fire hall for 25 cents. Drive-up service is available at the north door of the fire hall near the clubroom. At 10 a.m., in the fire hall truck room, chowder by the bowl, sandwiches, pie and coffee will be sold.

Parade, Car Show

Robertson said the traditional Labor Day parade will start at noon Monday at the Fort Niagara gate, proceed down Main Street and turn down Elliott Street to the fire hall and Veterans Park. The craft show continues on Monday from 11 a.m. to dusk. Crafters will be interspersed among the various attractions, instead of grouped in one spot this year. About a dozen crafters already have registered and more are expected to sign up this week, Truesdale said.

The car show, with both vintage and souped up newer models, runs from noon to 4 p.m. Monday. Depending on weather, the car show has drawn 75 to 125 cars in past years. Robertson said car owners can register their cars on the day of the event.

The games of chance tent, the beer tent and food concessions will open at noon. Music on Monday will be provided by the Lakeside Blues Band from 2 to 6 p.m. and 90 West from 6 to 10 p.m. A petting zoo will be available from 2 to 6 p.m.

Annual Raffle

Also on Monday will be the drawing for the annual raffle at 9 p.m. First prize this year is $1,000. Other prizes are: second prize, four-burner stainless steel gas grill ($999.99 value) supplied by Stevenson’s Hardware; third prize, RCA 20-inch TV with VHS/DVD player, donated by George’s Appliance; fourth prize, $250 cash.

Turn in tickets before 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, and you will have a chance at the early bird raffle for dinner at Water Street Landing and a Jet Boat ride. Donation is $1 each ticket or a book of 11 tickets for $10. The firefighters will start setting up for the field days on Tuesday evening, so anyone who wants to buy or drop off raffle tickets can stop by the fire hall during the evening all week. Tickets also can be turned in to any fire department member or at the ticket booth during the field days.

Truesdale said the field days have been a Youngstown tradition for about 75 years. The annual event started as a picnic for the firemen and their families in Fort Niagara State Park.

“We hope people will still come and support the local organizations and us,” Truesdale said.

“This is our major fund-raiser for the year. It does provide a lot of our operating funds,” Robertson said.

Sponsors of this year’s field days are: Modern Corp., Lois Monroe, Cragco Inc., Robert Monroe, Tom Tower Farms, George’s Appliance, Youngstown Landing Marina, Dan and Lucy Wilson Realty Inc., Ki-Po Motors and Youngstown Market Place.