Avon Volunteer Fire Department Celebrates 75 Years

Now more than halfway through its 75th anniversary year, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) is anxiously awaiting the highlight of all the celebratory events planned for the year – its hosting of the 135th Annual Connecticut State Firefighters Association Convention and Parade along with a carnival and food truck festival at 99 Thompson Road the weekend of September 14-16, 2018. There will be a professional fireworks display on Saturday, September 15.

“It’s been 13 years since the AVFD discontinued its annual carnival and parade events,” says AVFD Chief Michael Trick. “We can think of no better reason to bring back those festivities, along with a professional fireworks display, than to celebrate 75 years of the volunteer fire service here in Avon.”

In addition to the three-day carnival and food truck festival, Avon will host the Connecticut State Firefighters Association 135th Annual Convention and Parade.

“Aside from celebrating with our own neighbors at different commemorative events throughout the year and during our special September weekend, there isn’t a more fitting way to mark this incredible milestone than to invite our colleagues from around the state to come spend some time with us here in Avon,” says Trick.

The special events taking place from September 14-16, 2018 will necessitate some temporary road closures. Residents should take note of the following:

Parade Route Road Closures on Sunday, September 16, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Harris @ West Avon

Sunrise @ West Avon

Haynes (can still exit via Stratford Crossing) @ West Avon

Sycamore Hills @ West Avon

Scoville @ West Avon

Kingsbridge (can still exit via Crestwood) @ West Avon

Bronson (can still exit via Crestwood) @ West Avon

Sudbury @ West Avon

Hollister @ West Avon

Devonshire @West Avon

Day @ West Avon

Country Club @ West Avon

Thompson Road Closure for Carnival and Food Truck Festival

• Friday, September 14, 2018 from 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 15, 2018 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 16, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Carnival and Food Truck Festival Hours

• Friday, September 14, 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. (special: ride all night for $25.00 with wrist band)
• Saturday, September 15, 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. (fireworks at 9:00 p.m.)
• Sunday, September 16, 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Prior to the carnival and food truck festival on Sunday, September 16, the 135th Annual Connecticut State Firefighters Association Parade will step off promptly at noon. Line up will begin at 8:00 a.m. at Avon High School, and the parade route will follow West Avon Road South to Thompson Road and end at the M.H. Rhodes property across from Thompson Brook School. Shuttle buses will run from Thompson Brook School to Avon High School from 8:30-11:45 a.m.

The AVFD will keep the community informed about all 75th anniversary events via its website (www.avonvfd.org) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AvonVFD).

About the AVFD

Incorporated in 1943, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department proudly protects more than 18,000 people living in the 22.6 square mile area that makes up the Town of Avon. The Department’s mission is to provide fire suppression and prevention, life safety and rescue support, as well as other community support to the citizens of the Town of Avon. In addition, the Department provides mutual aid support to those surrounding communities that, in time of need, may request such assistance.

Staffed entirely by volunteers, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department prides itself on the selflessness and dedication of its members. The Department operates six companies and 15 pieces of apparatus, including a brush truck, ladder truck, tanker, rescue vehicle, boat, and pumpers. Four stations are located throughout Town – Company 1 on Darling Drive, Company 2 on Secret Lake Road, Company 3 on West Avon Road, and Company 4 on Huckleberry Hill Road. Anyone interested in learning more about the AVFD should call the Avon Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) at 677-2644, visit www.avonvfd.org, connect on Facebook at AvonVFD, or stop by the Company 1 firehouse located at 25 Darling Drive any Monday evening after 7:00.

Photo caption: This year, the AVFD celebrates its 75th anniversary. Pictured are the first AVFD members with the Department’s first fire truck at a Sunday morning drill at Sperry Park: (seated, left to right) Lucian Baranowski, Howard Rodgers, Dom Bogino, Al Bonesio, and Everett Lyles; (standing, left to right) Fred Schiedel, Dave Ceder, Primo Viti, Rene Ruez, Peter Bonesio, Emil Engelke, Walter Read, Paul Olson, John Kulikowski, Charlie Engelke, Ernie Plude, and Wilbur (Buster) Plude; and (on top) Fritz Kruse, Charles Evango, and Austin Hunter.