5-day Leechburg Carnival fundraiser slated for later this month
The annual Leechburg Carnival returns this year with a new date and a big fundraising goal.
Brian Scott, president of the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company, said the department, with a roster of 32 volunteer firefighters and eight administrative volunteers, has been raising funds for a new pumper truck for a decade.
The five-day event will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. each night from Tuesday, Sept. 20 through Saturday, Sept. 24 at the fire company grounds, 268 Canal St.
The carnival is historically one of the largest fundraisers each year, accounting for up to 15% of the company’s fundraising goals, Scott said.
“We like to raise $10,000 to $15,000 each year with the carnival,” Scott said. “Last year was one of our most profitable years in recent memory. People were just coming out from covid.”
The new pumper truck, a 2022 Pierce Commercial Cab, already has been purchased and is being assembled. It’s scheduled to be delivered by the end of November.
The new truck costs $377,000.
“It will definitely be more efficient and safety focused, with all up-to-date safety standards,” Scott said.
The company’s two current pumpers are 1980 and 1998 models.
“We’ve got two old pumpers, and we need to upgrade to make sure we stay in compliance with insurance, and national and state standards,” Scott said.
The carnival, now presented by the Florida-based Tropical Amusements, began during the 1930s.
This year, organizers were unable to secure a carnival date during June through August, but Scott said the September dates could be favorable.
“We’re hoping by holding the event in the fall we can attract a different audience and not having a conflict with other events and festivals,” Scott said.
Quarter bingo will be held nightly.
“People love being there and having family time. I know our people love the quarter bingo,” said carnival volunteer Melissa Aller of Leechburg.
The Firemen’s Lunch Stand will be open and selling traditional fare and their signature hotdogs.
The carnival offers free admission. Ride tickets will be sold, and an ATM will be available.
The event will be held rain or shine.
For more information, visit leechburgco150.org.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.