F
irefighters from across Sullivan County rolled through Hortonville Saturday as the Hortonville Volunteer Fire Company held its 92nd annual Field Day and firemen’s parade.
The parade …
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Firefighters from across Sullivan County rolled through Hortonville Saturday as the Hortonville Volunteer Fire Company held its 92nd annual Field Day and firemen’s parade.
The parade stepped off at noon with Hortonville leading the procession, followed by visiting departments, ambulance crews, auxiliaries and fire apparatus ranging from modern engines and tankers to antique trucks dating back nearly a century.
One of the oldest vehicles on the route came from the White Lake Volunteer Fire Company, which brought a 1928 Ford Model A. Antique apparatus from Hurleyville and Kenoza Lake also joined the more modern trucks making their way through town.
Following the parade, firefighters and spectators gathered around the Hortonville firehouse for the Field Day and many of its longtime staples. The department served its traditional chicken barbecue with half a chicken, corn on the cob, coleslaw, baked beans and a buttered roll, while clams served with butter and sauce were another popular choice.
A few dozen players gathered inside the firehouse for bingo, while small carnival games offered stuffed prizes for children near the pavilion. Behind the pavilion, locals and firefighters gathered around tables in the beer tent, with the betting wheel set up in one corner.
Bethel-based rock band Jaketown Road provided live music throughout the day, playing its mix of classic, Southern and blues rock.
Hortonville Fire Chief Eric Dnistrian said the event was a success.
Dnistrian said, “[It was a] good turnout. And the support that we had, it’s good this year.”
Around 4 p.m., the crowd gathered for the parade awards. White Sulphur Springs took first place for fire company marching and also had the most members in the line of march. Woodbourne took second place for company marching and the award for traveling the farthest distance.
Livingston Manor was named best appearing auxiliary, while Roscoe-Rockland received the award for best appearing apparatus in service. Hurleyville took the judges’ choice award for apparatus.
Dnistrian said the participation of neighboring departments remains an important part of keeping the tradition going.
“I think it’s great that they come out and continue to support us throughout the years,” he said. “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have this.”
The final trophy went to the Upper Delaware Volunteer Ambulance Corps for best appearing volunteer ambulance corps. Four-year-old Emsleigh Duffy, who had marched in the parade earlier in the day, stepped forward to accept the award.
Her father, Connor Duffy, said she had enjoyed taking part in the parade.
Dnistrian described the 92-year tradition simply as “a big family event.”
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