Ellington Volunteer Fire Department Ready to Host Annual Carnival

Did you know the Ellington Volunteer Fire Department's annual carnival was once called a “lawn party?” Or that was at one time held on the town green and the land where the current board of education and public works buildings currently stand? 

How about that a decision made by the state legislature in the 1950s outlawing “games of chance” shut the fair down for awhile? Or that the parade didn't come into play until 1959 or 1960?

It's a bit of Ellington history that many don't know or think about as they head to on Route 140, the locale since the late 1980s, for the modern-day “Firemen's Fair.”

“It was considerably different,” Jack Turner, the deputy chief in charge of apparatus at , said of the present-day event and historical documentation of the first event in 1934.

Whatever the name or locale, the EVFD carnival, held Thursday through Saturday, has been a longstanding tradition that draws large crowds.

Some of the highlights are the Saturday evening parade, rides and games, food, the cake booth, and a chance to win one of 11 raffle prizes – with everyone crossing their fingers that they win the big prize, a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 pick up truck.

One hundred percent of all funds raised benefit the Ellington Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. The funds help support the department's activities that are not supported within the town budget. That includes the purchase of specialized rescue equipment, protective clothing, uniforms, support for the public fire and safety education programs, and specialized training opportunities for the firefighters.

The goal this year is to continue supporting those efforts, while remembering those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to our community and nation through public service. This year's event concludes one day prior to the tenth anniversary of the September 11 tragedy.

In her sixth year as chairperson of the carnival, EVFD Treasurer Betsi Feldman has the routine down, but keeps all of her important documents – contracts, schedules, etc. – close to her fingertips. It's a planning process that starts nine months in advance of the fair with the securing of a ride vendor in January.

“Really in June, it starts to build in preparation and we get the subcommittees together,” said Feldman. The subcommittees include organization of the cake booth, the raffle, food and the parade.

The parade, scheduled to step off at 5:15 on Saturday evening, will feature 20-30 units, including fire departments from across the state, the marching band, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and local community groups.

The parade will be judged by the Connecticut Parade Marshals Association in categories including best appearing ladder truck, best appearing rescue truck, furthest distance traveled to take part in the parade, best fife and drum, best uniforms (shirts and jackets), best marching band, and best color guard.

“We usually get a pretty good showing,” said Feldman of parade units. As the host department, EVFD will not be able to compete for awards, but that doesn't stop it from showing its fire department pride.

“We wear our Class A uniforms, no matter what the weather,” said Feldman. That Class A uniform includes long-sleeved shirts, long pants, jacket and hat – the traditional dress uniform.

The presentation of awards takes place Saturday night, just prior to the truck raffle at 10 p.m.

This year, some of the rides will be open at 4 p.m. Saturday, prior to the parade, said Feldman. The booths will open after the parade ends.

On Thursday evening, the carnival will highlight some of the local talent in Ellington. At 6:30 p.m., Aprille's Danceprints will entertain fairgoers, followed by American Karate Youth Martial Arts Center at 7 p.m., Laurie Nash Centre for Dance at 7:30 p.m., and a band featuring local high school students, “The Departures” at 8:15 p.m.

Tickets for the raffle can be purchsed from any EVFD firefighter. There will be personnel at the firehouse all week – stop by or call the station on the routine line at 860-870-3190 to arrange purchasing a ticket. Only 1,200 tickets will be sold at $20 each. Prizes include the truck, gift certificates to Superior Energy, Homestead Fuel, Kloter Farms, Ellington Agway/Agway Too, Preferred Energy, Executive Lawn Service, Star Hardware, Limberger Trailers, Lee's Auto Ranch and The Chuck Wagon Restaurant.

The carnival is open Thursday 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday 5:15 p.m. (parade) to 11 p.m. All three nights are “Wristband Nights” where fairgoers can take in the rides for $20 per night.