Firefighters Forced To Cancel Spring Carnival In Upper Makefield

UPPER MAKEFIELD, PA — The Upper Makefield Fire Company on Thursday announced the cancellation of its spring carnival, which has been a local tradition for the past 40 years.

The company announced the cancellation on Facebook after being notified by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources/Bureau of State Parks that it would no longer be allowing the use of Washington Crossing Historic Park for the event.

“We are disappointed by this decision as the carnival has been held on park grounds since the 1980s,” the firefighters wrote on Facebook. “It was an event that was anticipated by many in the community, and proceeds from the event contributed significantly to our annual operating budget.”

The firefighters said there are no other locations within the township that have the space and road access to accommodate the amount of equipment and parking that the carnival requires.

“The fire company would like to thank the public for their patronage and support over the years," the firefighters wrote in a press release. "We welcome the community to continue to engage with us at our annual fire prevention open house in the fall and at other township/civic organization-sponsored events throughout the year.”

Fans of the carnival expressed disappointment with the cancellation on the fire company's Facebook page.

“Such a shame!!!” wrote one person. “We used to take our kids every year when they were young, and now my granddaughter! Very sad news.”

Another wrote, “Very disappointing! It was our ‘Hometown America’ event that we would look forward to every year. Always added to the charm of our town. What is the reason given by DCNR? Chance of appeal?”

Another wrote, “Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania should overturn this decision. Not only does it bring people into a state park of the commonwealth, it allows a non-profit community-based volunteer organization to raise funds at a critical time to purchase the necessary equipment and upgrade departmental infrastructure. Maybe the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner can lend a hand in making sure this doesn’t happen again in the future.”