| In 2025, the Fame Fire Company received an invitation to participate in the
250th celebration parade to be held in Philadelphia on July 3, 2026. Parade
organizers requested that we parade with our 1884 antique Silsby hose cart.
Under the leadership of company officers President Mike McCarthy, Vice
President Mike McDonald and Treasurer Julie McCarthy, Fame members were
polled to see their level of interest. It was immediately realized that there
was overwhelming interest in participating in this nationally televised event.
The planning began with several meetings involving numerous interested
members. Plans included uniform fittings and repairs, restoration of our
antique parade drums and servicing and restoring various parts of the Silsby
hose cart to mention a few of the tasks. A budget was proposed when it was
soon realized that expenses to participate would be significant. Fundraising
efforts were started and as usual, the membership of the Fame Fire Company
quickly rose to the occasion through donations that almost immediately
covered the proposed budget.
Due to the age of the hose cart and its fragile condition it was determined
that this could be the last time the cart would be paraded. Almost
immediately, over 40 volunteers committed to marching with the hose cart
and supporting all aspects of planning and preparing for this historic event.
Over the months leading up to the event, the drum line was recruited and
practiced, parade participants were fitted for historically accurate Fame
uniforms and most importantly the Silsby hose cart was serviced and made
parade ready for what could be it's final march.
An additional and important aspect of the preparation was the planning and
recruiting of additional volunteers to remain behind on the day of the event
to ensure that the Fame was available to provide staffing for emergency
services to the West Chester community.
On the days leading up to this historic July celebration, the region was in the
throws of a historic heat wave that kept temperatures in the triple digit
range. To address the intense heat, parade organizers reduced the length of
the parade a day prior to the event from a two-and-a-half-mile route to a
one-mile route. However, at 1 A.M. the morning of the parade, company
officers received notice from the parade directors that due to the extreme
heat conditions and in the interest of safety, the parade was cancelled.
Not to be deterred, starting at 6 A.M. members arriving at the firehouse
were advised of the cancellation. To a person, all agreed that the hose cart
would be unloaded from the transport vehicle, decorated with flags and​
flowers and would have a parade through the Southeast West Chester (Riggtown) neighborhood.
At 8 A.M. on Friday July 3rd., 2026 escorted by Engine 53 and Ladder 53 made
their way through Riggtown showing off the 1884 antique Silsby hose cart.
Pictures from the event from set up to breakdown can be found here https://www.famefireco.org/apps/public/gallery/index.cfm?Gallery_ID=4&PageNum=1 |
