Saxonburg firefighter Glenn Fair, right, and Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company president Donald Goik tug a 40-year-old hose cart, the first piece of equipment owned by company, in this photo from Sept. 22, 1971. All of the company's equipment would be on display at the department's 40th birthday celebration Sept. 26, 1971. Butler Eagle File Photo

Charter members of the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company would be honored at a ceremony celebrating 40 years since the department’s founding, which included afternoon and evening celebrations for the community.

Every piece of equipment owned by the fire company over its 40-year span was planned to be on display at a ceremony, planned for Sunday, Sept. 26, 1971. This included its first hose cart, which the company bought for $35 in 1931.

Membership in 1971 had grown to more than 500 active members who operated $120,000-worth of equipment to serve Saxonburg and Jefferson, Clinton and Winfield townships.

The event also included free rides for children, games for adults and children, dinners and dancing.