Source: The Republican (Springfield, MA)
Author: D.L. STEPHENSON; [email protected]
EASTHAMPTON, MA – When it comes to fire trucks and fire apparatus parades, some people just can’t seem to get enough.
“I go to any parade having to do with fire trucks,” said Nate Arnold of West Springfield, one of the people who lined the way during yesterday’s celebration of the Easthampton Fire Department’s 150th anniversary.
More than 20 fire trucks and other vehicles from Westhampton, Northampton, Holyoke, Goshen, Monson, Williamsburg, Granby, Huntington, Russell, Chesterfield, Hadley and other towns in the region took part in the parade that began on Ferry and Pleasant streets and ended at the Easthampton Safety Complex on Payson Avenue.
There, a carnival-like atmosphere punctuated the crisp, early autumn afternoon.
There were also Massachusetts State Police officers on motorcycles, local dignitaries from Easthampton, bagpipers from the Holyoke Fire Department and cheerleaders from Easthampton High School marching in the parade.
“We’re lucky today to be here,” said Easthampton city councilor J.P. Kwiecinski, one of the marchers in yesterday’s procession.
Originally scheduled for Saturday, the parade had to be postponed because of the weather. And though the number of vehicles and departments that actually participated yesterday was less than half of the original number slated to participate on Saturday, there was still plenty of sound and gleaming chrome to please diehard parade lovers.
Nancy M. Pulley of Easthampton was on her way to ride on the bike path, but all the commotion and people made her decide to stick around and watch.
“I’m not really into parades, but it is kind of exciting,” Pulley said.
With cameras snapping and video rolling, a number of spectators recorded the procession for posterity.
“I’ve always had a fascination for fire trucks and I kind of think of myself as an amateur fire truck photographer,” said Arnold as he snapped away, paying particular attention to some of the newer trucks in yesterday’s parade.
Vintage trucks were also a part of the procession.
One of the oldest trucks in the parade, a 1954 Maxum International still used by the Westhampton Fire Dept., was one point of pride of the parade.
“We love it; it’s nostalgia and you just can’t give it up,” said volunteer firefighter John Zimmerman of Westhampton, the truck’s driver.
Yesterday’s celebration included face painting and bounce houses for the children and tours of the public safety complex.