Parade wows crowd
SAXONBURG — The sounds of sirens drew cheers on the streets of Saxonburg Thursday evening as dozens of fire safety vehicles rolled past. The evening ended with a sudsy foam party.
Eighty-eight groups, from cheerleaders to charities, joined firefighters in the traditional Saxonburg Fireman's Parade.
Jason Prager, a member of the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company and parade chairman, said this year's parade featured anywhere from 50 to 60 fire trucks.
“Most of the Butler County region shows up,” Prager said.
Moments before the parade started, Jim Rearick of the Markle Volunteer Fire Department in Westmoreland County stood beside a yellow fire truck, ready to take its spot. He recalled joining the fire station at age 14. He's now 62.
“This breaks the monotony of fighting fires,” Rearick said, laughing.
Turning from their truck to the street full of them, Rearick and his fellow firefighters said there were millions of dollars worth of fire equipment rolling through town. His department had bought its truck for $180,000.
“There's a whole lot of money sitting on this street,” he said.
Mayor William Gillespie guessed it was his 27th parade. He said while the carnival raises money to support the fire department, that isn't the most important part of the week.“It's important, mostly for the families and the kids to get out and have something fun to do in the community,” Gillespie said.“It promotes the Saxonburg fire company, which is probably the premiere company in the area.”Hunter, 10, and Owen Bartley, 7, this year's Pet Parade best of show winners, liked the parade. The boys rode on a pickup truck with their winning rabbit, King Spots, in tow in a miniature Saxonburg ambulance.“This was something my dad did with me, so I do it with them,” said Lee Bartley, the boys' father.
