Seaside Heights Volunteer Fire Department Centennial Celebration

2013 is the centennial year for the Seaside Heights Volunteer Fire Company.  This Saturday the members will mark the special occasion with a big festival and parade.

Organizers are planning an event that will include food, beer, music/bands, free activities for children, a small Marketplace (to include the Fire Company's Centennial merchandise table, vintage postcard dealers, local artists and photographers, and Seaside Heights/Jersey Shore memorabilia dealers), static displays of fire apparatus, a time capsule ceremony, and an awards presentation.

For the last 43 years, Tony Vaz has been with the team.  He now serves as president and says "we are especially looking forward to our Vintage Fire Apparatus Parade along the Boulevard. We are inviting fire companies and private collectors from all over New Jersey to bring their antique fire trucks and apparatus to the event and to participate in a parade along the Boulevard. Our own 1926 Cosmopolitan and 1954 Ward LaFrance will be displayed in the parade."

The museum will be open throughout the day. In addition to dozens of historical photographs, they will also have many original pieces of vintage equipment and tools on display.

Vaz says "during the day we will be showing original video of the 1955 Freeman's Amusement Center fire and the 1965 Casino Pier fire. The day will be a celebration of our history, and our museum will be an important part of the program."

When fire ripped through the boardwalk earlier this month, destroying several businesses, the department made up of volunteers sprung into action quickly.  Vaz adds "this was what teamwork is all about.  It was all hands on deck and showed what people can do when they come together."

They are always looking to recruit new members.  You can find out more at the event from 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. on the firehouse property on Sherman and Sheridan Avenues.