Saxonburg Carnival tradition returns June 24
For 99% of the year, Paul Donaldson is just an ambulance supervisor at Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, but for five days, he’s in charge of putting together one of the most popular spectacles in Saxonburg.
The fire company is hosting its 94th annual Fireman’s Carnival from Tuesday, June 24, through Saturday, June 28, with the centerpiece event, the fireman’s parade, on Thursday, June 26.
On top of serving as an annual fixture for Saxonburg residents, the carnival and parade serve an important role for the fire department.
“It can be said that the carnival is one of our largest fundraisers,” Donaldson said.
As usual, festivities will kick off with the annual pet parade, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24. Animals of all shapes and sizes will be paraded from the “white church” on West Main Street, the Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church, to the carnival grounds on Horne Avenue.
“The pet parade has a summer vacation theme this year,” Donaldson said. “People are welcome to dress themselves and pets to match the theme.”
The parade will be preceded with a “blessing of the pets” at 6:15 p.m., conducted by a member of the St. Luke’s Church. All registration for the pet parade is done on the day of the event. Donaldson said there are almost no restrictions on what pets are allowed into the parade.
“All pets are welcome, as long as they don't pose a danger to other animals or people,” Donaldson said.
Another returning event is the water battle, taking place at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, at the Presbyterian Church, in which local volunteer fire departments will fight a mock battle with fire hoses. While the participating fire companies are not yet known, Donaldson said eight companies took part in last year’s battle.
The centerpiece of the week is the annual fireman’s parade, which this year is scheduled for Thursday, June 26.
“There will be literally hundreds of emergency vehicles and then area businesses will have floats,” Donaldson said. “And we’ll have pageant winners from multiple different categories around the county.”
The parade will start on West Water Street near Roebling Park, before making a left at Zacherl’s Restaurant onto Butler Street, taking another left onto Main Street and ending at the Saxonburg Memorial Church.
Due to what the fire department called a “great response” from sponsors, the organizers have decided to waive the entry free and allow free admission to the carnival for its duration, although attendees will still have to pay for concessions and rides.
On both fronts, Donaldson promised some fresh surprises for returning attendees this year.
“The ride company’s bringing new rides. They’re bringing at least two new rides that I’m aware of,” Donaldson said. “We also have some new food vendors coming this year, so there will be opportunities to try new rides and new foods.”
