Pictured are members of the Dalton Fire Company. First row, from left: Bob Carpenter, past chief, George Slocum, secretary, John Holbert, past chief and past president, and James Sturdevant, past master mechanic and board of governors. Second row: Brent Tripp, vice president, Doc Stacknick, Jr., assistant fire chief, and Justin Sturdevant, president.
Dalton Firemen’s Carnival will mark its 100th year
DALTON – The Dalton Fire Company is gearing up for its 100th annual Firemen’s Carnival, which will run from July 11 to 15. Food, rides, live music, a parade and a car show will all take place at the Dalton firegrounds during that week. The event would’ve been in its 100th last year, but it was canceled in 2020 from the pandemic. It returned in 2021 and has continued since then.
The Firemen’s Carnival has went through many changes throughout the years.
For instance, the setting for it was in the parking lot of the Dalton Fire Company’s firehouse from its beginning until 1968. John Holbert, past chief and past president of the fire company, recalled the firehouse back in 1959 had three bays at the time. He said that outside the firehouse, there were two big trees with a wooden waterfall in the middle. At the bottom of the waterfall, there was a swimming pool and a fish pond with live trout. The kids were able to fish from the pond. The fishing rods were sold for 50 cents at the carnival.
Holbert’s first job was manning the carnival’s penny pitch. For those who don’t know what penny pitch is, it’s a game where people throw pennies at a board with numbered squares on it. Whatever square the penny lands on, that’s how much the contestant won. There was also a game of ring toss and a bingo tent. The rides during that time were set near Ackerly Creek. The Ferris wheel and swings were set on the edge of the creek. The riders were able to see the bottom of the creek as they rode the Ferris wheel and swings.
The carnival used to run for six days (Mondays to Saturdays).
It kicked off with a turkey dinner, which was cooked by the church women at the Dalton United Methodist Church on Monday night. There was also a chicken BBQ on Saturday nights. There was also a Mummers parade, in which people would come from all over and build comical floats. Main Street and the side streets were filled with cars during the festival.
In 1968, the Dalton Fire Company purchased the fairgrounds on Bank Street. Since then, the carnival has been taking place there. Because of lack of manpower, the festival lessened to five days until the late 1980s or early 90s. Since then, it came down to its current four days.
The Dalton Fire Company has been working to make people enjoy the happy times of a carnival in new ways.
On July 12, the Pharaohs Car Club of Scranton will be co-hosting a Car Cruise in memory of Mike and Faye Kostelnik. People can bring all makes and models of collectors cars including antique, classic, or custom vehicles. They can line up their cars at Huntington Woods at 6 p.m. Mike and Faye, whose son Ken is the captain of the Pharaohs Car Club of Scranton, used to organize and promote the carnival’s car cruise. Mike was a captain of the Dalton Fire Company Fire Police for more than two decades. Faye was a member, vice president, and former president of the Dalton Fire Company Auxiliary.
This year, members of the fire company decided to bring back the car cruise to celebrate the 100th anniversary. All participants will be given priority parking and will be entered to receive awards from one of three categories: DFC Choice, Kostelnik Family Choice and People’s Choice. People can vote at the cost of a $1 donation per ballot. All donations will benefit the fire company. The first 50 cars to enter will receive a commemorative dash plaque, which features an early DFC fire apparatus and a voucher worth $10 towards the purchase of the carnival’s food.
About the food, the original staples, clams and homemade roast beef sandwiches, will return.
Over the years, the festival has been adding foods. There will be fresh-cut fries, walking tacos, cheese steaks, potato pancakes from the Dalton Lions Club, and pizza from Chinchilla Hose Company. There will be rides including the Ferris wheel, the Sizzler, slide and kiddie rides provided by AEB Amusements from Bethlehem. There will also be face-painting for kids.
On Friday, July 14, the firemen’s parade will take place. About 60 firetrucks from local fire companies from Northeastern Pennsylvania join the parade. The Irem Temple Shriners, Motor Corps, Double R Twirlettes and bagpipers will march in it as well.
Live music will be performed each night. On Tuesday, July 11, Megaband will perform; Wednesday, July 12, Flaxy Morgan; Thursdau, July 13, Old Friends; Friday, July 14, Mace in Dickson; Saturday, July 15, Inside Out.
ANA (Another Noahs Ark) Critters will bring her animals including pot belly pigs, lambs, alligators, tortoises, snakes and her famous Bella the Brave cat.
The Dalton Fire Company will have fun for all ages. It will begin each night at 6 p.m. and run until 11 p.m.
