Crowds Convene in Hampton for the Annual Sussex County Firemen’s Association Inspection Day and Parade
The sign welcoming the participants and spectators to the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
HAMPTON TOWNSHIP, NJ – The annual Sussex County Firemen’s Association Inspection Day and Parade kicked off on Saturday, October 4, in spite of the drizzly weather and crowds in Hampton Township. At the end of the parade, the inclement weather gave way for sunshine, as the parade finished off in the park area by the township’s municipal building.
The Hampton Township Fire Department was this year’s host. The weekend prior, several fire departments participated in a hose laying competition, which was held in a portion of the Lowe’s parking lot. At yesterday’s event, parade participants marched, and drove emergency vehicles past the crowd through part of the township.
The parade started at the “Stones Row Development” near Garrett Drive, then proceeded towards Halsey Road. Once on Halsey Road, the parade made its way past Kittatinny Regional High School, with the high school’s band and fire department in the lead. The conclusion was at the Hampton Township Park.
The New Jersey State Police blocked off Halsey Road for a few hours in the afternoon, beginning prior to the parade’s commencement at 1 p.m. Public parking for the event was at Kittatinny Regional High School. At the park, the festivities continued prior to the award ceremonies, and the Baleville Congregational Church was one of the food vendors. Burgers, hot dogs, and pulled pork sandwiches were some of the fare that parade participants and spectators could purchase.
The parade lineup for fire and EMS groups included: Hampton Township Fire and Rescue, Hampton Township Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, the Stillwater Area Fire Company, Stillwater EMS, Vernon Township Fire Department, the Vernon Township Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Andover Borough Fire Department, Montague Fire Department, Sparta Fire Department, Stanhope Fire Department, Vernon’s McAfee Fire Department, Wantage Ladies Auxiliary, Wantage/Beemerville Fire Department, Fredon Fire Department, Branchville Fire Department, Ogdensburg Fire Department, Lafayette Fire Department, Sussex Fire Department, Fredon EMS, Frankford Fire Department, Frankford Township Ladies Auxiliary, Hardyston Township Fire Department, Newton Fire Department, Swartswood Fire Department, the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad, Andover Township Fire Department, Sandyston Fire Department, Green Township Fire Department, Byram Township Fire Department, Hamburg Fire Department, Highland Lakes Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Vernon’s Pochuck Valley Fire Department, Franklin Fire Department, Hopatcong Fire Department, Hampton Borough Fire Company (Hunterdon County), Netcong Fire Department, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, and the Fishers Fire Department from Indiana.
Marching bands, color guards and other groups included:Kittatinny Regional High School Marching Band, the Colonial Musketeers, Rory O’Moore School of Piping and Drumming, the Sharpshooters Band, the VFW, the American Legion, the Mackay Pipe Band, Morris County Police Pipes and Drums, the Franklin Band, Hopatcong High School Marching Band, the Public Safety Academy at Sussex County Community College and the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department.
Many departments received awards following their participation at the parade. Franklin Fire Department was among one of the winners, taking home a second place trophy for color guard, engine and large department.
Scroll down for photos of the many departments and organizations that participated.
Stay on the scene with NJInsideScene.com and click here to follow us on Facebook to many events like this one.
The truck with the trophies kicks off the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Kittatinny Regional High School led the parade with the school’s marching band. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The clouds begin to break as the marching band parades by. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Hampton Township Fire and Rescue is the first of the emergency services groups to lead the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Hampton Township Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary followed the department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Stillwater Area Fire Company. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Vernon Township Fire Department breaks up the cloudy skies with its red banner. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Vernon Township Ladies Auxiliary was part of the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Andover Borough Fire Department was the first to represent the more southeastern section of the county. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Montague Fire Department marches in the parade, representing the northern part of Sussex County. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
One of the marching bands that participated in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Sparta Fire Department marches by. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Sparta’s Chief’s Truck in the parade, followed by one of the engines. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A fire truck from Stanhope. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The parade lineup as it heads down the hill. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Vernon’s McAfee Fire Department marches. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Rory O’Moore School of Piping and Drumming was a participant. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Wantage Ladies Auxiliary. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Members of the Wantage Fire Department in the lineup. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Wantage Fire Department Chief’s truck with Miss Wantage 2014 Courtney DeWaal-Malefyt. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A vintage Beemerville Fire Truck includes Fred Space as a passenger. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Fredon Volunteer Fire Company was a part of the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Sharpshooters Band was another participant. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Branchville Fire Department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A vintage fire truck from Branchville. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The American Legion and VFW. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A participating marching band added music in between the departments and other organizations. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Ogdensburg Fire Department leads off with two young participants holding the banner. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A vintage engine from Ogdensburg. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Lafayette Fire Department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Another classic fire truck in the parade, this time from Lafayette. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
One of the many marching bands. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Sussex Fire Department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A young man from Sussex tips his hat, while other young participants with the Sussex Fire Department, wave to parade spectators. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Frankford Township Fire Department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Frankford Township Ladies Auxiliary follows the department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Hardyston Fire Department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Morris County Police Pipes and Drums Drumming before the Newton Fire Department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Newton Fire Department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Swartswood Fire Department follows closely behind Newton. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Blue Ridge Rescue Squad Members outfitted with gloves ties and white gloves for the occasion. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A cub scout leads the Andover Township Fire Department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Sandyston Township Fire Department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Sandyston Township Fire Department’s Engine. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Green Township showed an engine in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Byram Township with one of its engines. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Another Byram Township Fire Engine. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Hamburg Fire Department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Hamburg Fire Trucks. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Highland Lakes Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Mackay Pipe Band visited the parade from Bethlehem, PA. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Vernon and the Pochuck Valley Fire Department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Franklin Band precedes the fire department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Two young ladies lead the Franklin Fire Department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Franklin Fire Department in dress uniform. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
One of Franklin Fire Department’s engines. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Hopatcong High School’s Marching Band. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Hopatcong Fire Department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A vintage fire engine from Hopatcong. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Hampton Borough in Hunterdon County was a guest at the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Hampton Borough Fire Department engines. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Hampton Borough volunteers in vintage style. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Netcong Fire Department marching in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Fishers Fire Department from Indiana was a guest at the event. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Members of the Sussex County Public Safety Training Academy, including a pair of dalmatians. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Trucks from Sussex County Community College’s Training Academy. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Another truck represents the Sussex County Community College’s Public Safety Training Academy. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A truck from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department rides at the end of the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Print Friendly
Leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.