Annual Orange Firemen's Carnival Kicks Off Aug. 1

Orange Volunteer Firemen: Orange Volunteer Firemen’s Carnival is an area tradition that is almost 100 years old, said Don Foyer, carnival chair. It runs Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

Advance sales for ride wristbands, sold at a discount, are available at the Orange Volunteer Fire Department website (https://www.orangevfd.org/carnival) until Wednesday. Wristbands will be available at the carnival Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Rides tickets also will be available at the carnival. Fireworks are planned for Friday and Saturday.

Not only has the carnival grown to be an area favorite for a night out, it’s a major fund-raiser for the Orange Volunteer Fire Department.

“It’s a really important event for the fire department,” said Foyer. “We’re self-funded. The town gives us a small contribution, but this event is how we finance the department and its operations for the next year, including the purchase of equipment, supplies, apparatus and training.”

Firefighters will be showing of their newest fire truck, Quint-32. The $850,000-vehicle is equipped with an aerial ladder, pumps, a water tank and transports equipment and personnel. It arrived in July.

“The town doesn’t buy us equipment like this,” said Foyer. “We buy it with funds raised at the Carnival and other fund-raisers. Just like when a family buys a car, we plan and save for a few years. This year, we added the truck and all of the equipment that goes in it to our fleet.”

There are new things for carnival-goers, too. Eli’s Restaurant will be on hand selling lobster rolls. In addition to food trucks, Orange firefighters and their friends will be cooking as always, and the food lines have been reorganized to make it easier. Foyer said there always new rides and games to play.

Foyer, a firefighter for 45 years, has chaired the carnival for 10 years. It’s grown larger and has become a regional favorite. Foyer said the carnival was started shortly after the creation of the fire department in 1925. As it has grown, the carnival moved from the town green, to the area behind town hall and then to its current home on the Orange Fairgrounds.

“We’re looking forward to another great year for everyone,” said Foyer. “It never gets old or boring. Every year brings new excitement.”

About Orange Volunteer Fire Association

The Orange Volunteer Fire Association provides fire protection residents and businesses in Orange and, through mutual aid, surrounding towns. Members receive training in fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, homeland security issues and other emergency services.

Operating strictly with revenues from fund-raisers and donations, the Orange Volunteer Fire Department is one of the remaining few all-volunteer incorporated fire departments in Connecticut. Active members are on-call to serve the community on a 24-hour/seven-day basis, responding from stations on Orange Center Road and Boston Post Road.

In addition, the fire company offers public education services including lectures, demonstrations and training. For information about membership, donations or public education, call (203) 891-4703, click on https://www.orangevfd.org or find us on Facebook.