Orange firefighters will kick off their annual carnival Thursday, Aug. 1 at the Orange Fairgrounds on Orange Center Road, continuing an area tradition and undertaking their biggest fundraiser of the year.
The Orange Volunteer Firemen’s Carnival is an area tradition that is almost 100 years old, said Don Foyer, carnival chair. It runs Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
Advance sales for ride wristbands, sold at a discount, are available at the Orange Volunteer Fire Department website until July 31. Wristbands will be available at the carnival Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Ride tickets also will be available at the carnival. Fireworks are planned for Friday and Saturday.
The carnival is a major fundraiser for the Orange Volunteer Fire Department.
“It’s a really important event for the fire department,” said Foyer. “We’re self-funded. The town gives us a small contribution, but this event is how we finance the department and its operations for the next year, including the purchase of equipment, supplies, apparatus and training.”
Firefighters will be showing of their newest fire truck, Quint-32. The $850,000 vehicle is equipped with an aerial ladder, pumps, a water tank and transport equipment and personnel. It arrived in July.
“The town doesn’t buy us equipment like this,” said Foyer. “We buy it with funds raised at the carnival and other fund-raisers. Just like when a family buys a car, we plan and save for a few years. This year, we added the truck and all of the equipment that goes in it to our fleet.”
There are new things for carnival-goers, too. Eli’s Restaurant will be on hand selling lobster rolls. In addition to food trucks, Orange firefighters and their friends will be cooking, and the food lines have been reorganized to make it easier. Foyer said there are always new rides and games to play.
Foyer, a firefighter for 45 years, has chaired the carnival for 10 years. It’s grown larger in that time. He said the carnival was started shortly after the creation of the fire department in 1925. As it has grown, the carnival moved from the town green to the area behind town hall and then to its current home on the Orange Fairgrounds.
“We’re looking forward to another great year for everyone,” said Foyer. “It never gets old or boring. Every year brings new excitement.”