Games, rides and plenty of food will be featured in this years carnival hosted by the Southwick Firemen’s Association. The carnival will be located on the grounds of the Powder Mill Middle School. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – The Fireman’s Association Carnival is this weekend and promises to bring thrills for all.
The event begins Thursday at 6 p.m. and continues Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m., and Sunday at noon, on Powder Mill Road.
The carnival takes place by the high school softball fields, and Fireman’s Association President Michael Ferraraccio was excited that the carnival would be back in its full, fun glory this year.
“We will have a large assortment of amusement rides,” Ferraraccio said, “not just the inflatables like we had last year.”
Helicopter rides will make a return to the Fireman Associations Carnival. A favorite of carival participants, the rides were cancelled last year when lightning struck the helicopter prior to the carnival.
“There will be helicopter rides every day of the carnival, depending on the weather,” Ferraraccio said.
Friday night, the Parks and Recreation Commission will present a fireworks display after dark, the parade will kick-off Saturday’s festivities, and a new event – a car show – is set for Sunday.
“We are trying something new this year,” said Ferraraccio. “We usually don’t have the carnival on Sunday but we are having a car show for the first time.”
There is no fee to view the cars and anyone with a car to display is welcome to join the show.
Carnival attractions include dunking booths, raffles, games, food and more. Ferraraccio said there is no fee to enter the carnival and tickets for amusements are available on the grounds.
“We have ticket coupons around tow, as well,” he added.
John Wackerbath, a member of the Fireman’s Association and chairman of the parade, said there will be a number of area firefighters joining the parade.
“We will have contingents from Granville, Agawam and other surrounding communities,” he said.
Leading this year’s parade will be a bagpipe band. Floats from businesses and churches will highlight Southwick with patriotic flair, and local businesses, including The Westfield News, will round out the marchers.
The 1.4 mile route begins at Southwick Town Hall and continues north on College Highway, turning right onto Feeding Hills and ending at the school grounds.
Wackerbath said the roads are typically blocked to traffic about 5:45 p.m. until the end of the parade by 7 p.m. He suggested anyone wishing to view the parade should be in place around 5:30 p.m.
Wackerbath said the carnival had some bad luck the past two years, but this year should see a return of the event that has become a Southwick tradition.
“It will be better than ever,” he said.
