If you love a parade, there’s going to be chance to not just watch one, but to be in it.
The New Kensington fire department will host the 128th annual Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association convention from Saturday, Aug. 7, through Wednesday, Aug. 11.
The convention’s first day includes a traditional firemen’s parade through downtown New Kensington.
The fire department is looking for civic groups and organizations from throughout the region to participate — church groups, Scout troops, Little League teams, football squads — anyone, said Assistant Chief Matt Sobecki, who is in charge of the parade.
“That’s what we need right now: groups for the parade,” Sobecki said. “We’ll take anybody. We’ll take walkers; we’ll take riders; we’ll take floats.”
The parade lineup will start at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at fire station No. 1 in the 700 block of Fourth Avenue. The parade will begin at 2.
Prizes will be given out during a block party at the station following the parade, where souvenirs will be for sale.
In addition to the parade, the first day’s festivities include a classic car cruise beginning at 10 a.m. in the 800 block of Fourth Avenue and a food truck rally there from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The department is working on having fireworks that night, too.
Among other public events will be the battle of the barrel contest at 10 a.m. Aug. 8 at the No. 1 fire station. The deadline for firefighters to register is July 31.
A memorial service following the battle of the barrel contest is open to the public, beginning at 3 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 1125 Leishman Ave.
A golf outing will begin at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 9 at Hill Crest Country Club in Lower Burrell.
New Kensington last hosted the convention in 2011, Fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. said.
It’s being held there this year in honor of Bruce Davis, assistant chief at New Kensington No. 2, who is ending his term as president of the association.
The association helps promote the fire service and advocates for it, Saliba said. That includes the recruitment and retention of volunteers, fundraising and, through its legislative committee, the introduction and passage of helpful state laws.
The pandemic hit volunteer fire department fundraising efforts hard. Saliba said the Legislature allowed fire departments to run tip board games, but they will become illegal again if lawmakers don’t act.
“Fundraising is a huge thing right now, especially in Harrisburg with the Legislature,” he said.
New Kensington has hosted the convention eight times — more than any other municipality, Saliba said.
“I think it’s an honor,” Saliba said. “New Kensington was always a big player in ‘the Western.’ ”
The normal convention wasn’t held in 2020 because of the covid pandemic, Saliba said. Instead, only a one-day business meeting was held in Lower Burrell.
The association will have its business meeting Aug. 10, and elect new officers.
A banquet and awards ceremony will be held that evening at the Springdale VFW on Pittsburgh Street.
The convention ends with the association board reorganizing Aug. 11.
Those interested in participating in the parade are asked to call the department at 724-335-4100 and leave a message.
