Dayhoff: Fire company carnivals still a family delight in Carroll County

The New Windsor Fire Department and the Gamber and Community Fire Company begin the Carroll County fire service carnival season this coming week.

This year the New Windsor carnival runs from May 21-25, according to Steve Strawsburg Jr., board chair of New Windsor Fire and Hose Company #1. 

The Gamber carnival will take place from May 24-June 1 at 3838 Niner Road, Finksburg, according to the Gamber public information officer Clayton Myers. The Gamber fire company website reports that the carnival opens each night at 6 p.m. However, the carnival will be closed May 29. 

The New Windsor carnival takes place at 101 High St. According to a “History of NWFD 1908-1998,” by Marcell Munshaur and an update by Vivian A. Davis, compiled in March 2009, “The first [New Windsor fire company] carnival was held from June 7th to the 12th, 1948. The gross receipts were $9,384.22 and the net income was $4,153.29.”

The roots of the fire company in New Windsor go back as far as 1908. According to an article on the fire company website by EMS Capt. David Coe, and Matt Miziorko, this year the department will host a fire department parade on May 22.

Meanwhile, NWFD member Dianne Gunderson has announced that Analynn Carlson is the 2024-2025 New Windsor fire presentation representative. Analynn’s father, Michael Carlson, is a paramedic in Anne Arundel and Carroll counties, and volunteers with the Westminster and New Windsor fire departments.

“Analynn presented her project titled, ‘House Fire Prevention’ on Thursday, May 9, highlighting escape plans and five ways to prevent a fire,” Gunderson said. “Analynn also showcased her fire prevention and life safety knowledge by answering several questions on topics including kitchen safety, Close Before You Doze, and important safety details that babysitters need to know before watching children in their care. …”

Carlson is an “Honor Roll student at West Middle in Westminster. She volunteers her time at the Humane Society and helps with fire department activities,” Gunderson added.

In Mount Airy, Matthew Heard and Lauren Legg, the carnival chairs for the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company report, “Preparations are underway for this year’s 95th Annual MAVFC Carnival, which will run from July 29 to August 3, 2024.”

Most responders in the Carroll County fire and EMS service agree with Heard and Legg who recently wrote, “This is our most important fundraiser of the year and the most fun you can have while supporting the fire company. Even though Carroll County Department of Fire and EMS is now funding some of our career staffing at the station, volunteers still make up a large portion of fire and rescue responses. Fundraising must be done by the volunteers in order to finance apparatus purchases for fire, rescue, and emergency medical incidents in addition to providing maintenance on our grounds and buildings.” 

The first carnival in Union Bridge took place in 1937. According to Union Bridge Mayor Perry Jones, the annual Union Bridge carnival will take place May 30 to June 1 from 6 to 10 p.m. at 8 West Locust St.

Mike Glass, the Taneytown Fire Department PIO reports that the annual Taneytown carnival will take place June 10-15 from  7 to 10 p.m. at the Taneytown Carnival Grounds and Activities Building. 

The Winfield Community Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual carnival July 8-13 from 6 to 11 p.m. at 1320 W. Old Liberty Road in Sykesville. Winfield held its first carnival in 1965 – a year after the department was established.

This year the Westminster Fire Department will hold its historic “Big Money Raffle” at 28 John St. in Westminster on June 1. A $20 raffle ticket will treat you to the annual community dinner and a chance to win one of the 18 money prizes awarded at the dinner, totaling $20,000. 

Hampstead began holding a fire carnival in May 1899. This year the carnival is scheduled for Aug. 5-10. 

The Manchester Volunteer Fire Company will hold its annual carnival July 1-6 from 6 to 11 p.m. at 3297 York St., Manchester. The parade steps off on July 2, and fireworks are scheduled for July 5. The Manchester carnival traces its beginnings to 1937.

The first Reese Fire Company carnival took place in 1948 at the Sandymount Elementary School. This year the carnival is scheduled to take place June 24-29 at 1745 Baltimore Blvd.

The Harney Volunteer Fire Department will hold its carnival June 26-29 at 5130 Harney Road, Taneytown.

In addition to being great family fun, the fire carnivals also serve a greater community purpose by providing an important source of funds for the fire companies. Naturally, the carnival food also fulfills an important part of the Carroll County nutrition pyramid.

Arts programs and cultural events, fairs and carnivals add to our sense of community and quality of life by bringing people together for a shared experience and contribute to a broader sense of vibrancy, optimism, and self-worth.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. His Time Flies column appears every Sunday. Email him at kevindayhoff@gmail.com.