Garner Fireman’s Festival: One of Garner's Oldest Traditions Never Gets Old
The Fireman’s Festival is Saturday October 6th and has been held for over 60 years; one of Garner’s oldest traditions.
The Fireman’s Festival, previously referred to as “Fireman’s Day,” has been held for over 60 years. According to Garner Fire Chief Matthew Poole, the department has photos dating back to 1953, making this one of Garner’s oldest traditions.
The festival will be held on Saturday, October 5th from 11am to 6pm, at the corner of Benson Rd. and Main Street.
Join Garner’s Firefighters in raising funds and spreading fire safety awareness. Families are encouraged to attend; there will be games, live fire demonstrations, a fire truck parade, and delicious food.
From Fundraising for Itself to Fundraising for The Community
Chief Poole also explained the reason behind the event. “From when the fire department began in 1952 until 1986, its sole means of financial sustainability was fundraising,” Poole said. “This event helped raise funds for fire trucks and equipment. In 1986 we began receiving fire district taxes from our citizens. With the change in funding, Fireman’s Day began to transform into more of a community event.”
Over the past 33 years, the Fire Department has been able to use funds raised to further the community in numerous ways. This year, the funds raised will go toward a variety of programs: the UNC Burn Center, Jaycee Shrine Circus for Special Needs Children, Chairs of Hope-Vandora Springs Elementary, Community of Hope Ministries, and the Garner Relay for Life.
Food, Fun, and Life-Saving Tips
Come visit over 70 vendors, grab some home-made BBQ and enjoy live music. A raffle will be held in the afternoon with various prizes being offered, the grand prize totaling $10,000! Buy tickets for only $5 from any Garner fire department or firefighter.
Along with games and vendors, the Fireman’s Festival offers a great opportunity to learn more about fire safety and can help start a conversation in households of what to do in an emergency situation. Recently, the Fire Department purchased a house to use as a learning device when teaching fire safety. Take a walk through the Fire Safety House this Saturday and learn about different fire hazards and how to avoid them. The first 200 families to visit the house will win an “Emergency Meeting Place” sign.
Don’t miss this Garner tradition.
Plan Your Day
11:00 am to 6:00 pm: BBQ Plates, Hot dogs, Fries, Chick-fil-a sandwiches (eat in or take out), Games, Vendors.
2:00 pm: Parade
The parade starts at W. Garner & Benson Road towards New Rand Road & returns to the fire station on Main Street.
3:00 pm: Live Fire Demonstration
3:30 pm to 6:00 pm: Live music by One 80
6:00 pm: Raffle Drawing for over $10,000 and 9 other cash prizes
Gallery of The Garner Fireman’s Festival (2017)
New Mural Brings Vibrant Color to Main Street
A lot of you by now have probably seen the amazing mural on the side of Full Bloom Coffee Roasters at 141 W. Main St. in Historic Downtown Garner. But do you know the story behind it?
Photo Credit: Demian Dellinger
Signs of Life and Vibrance Descending on Downtown Garner
A lot of you by now have probably seen the amazing mural on the side of Full Bloom Coffee Roasters at 141 W. Main St. in Historic Downtown Garner. But do you know the story behind it? Check out this short video we did with the artist, Sean Kernick, and Downtown Development Manager Mari Howe. And if you haven’t had a chance to see the mural yet in person, you really have to come downtown and have a look. It’s a great example of public art in our community.
The mural, which incorporates imagery of native North Carolina birds and wildflowers with elements of Garner’s historic railroad heritage, was funded through a partnership between the the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, the property owner, Patrick Byrd, and the Downtown Garner Association. We’d especially like to thank Debbie Dunn with the Garner Performing Arts Center and Garner Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources for bringing this project to Downtown Garner. Dunn acts as town liaison to the United Arts Council and asked DGA’s Design Committee to help identify potential properties and artists.
Interview filmed and edited by Adam Carroll and Rick Mercier with the Town of Garner.
This story was originally published by the Downtown Garner Association here.