DALTON — The 97th annual Dalton Fire. Co. Carnival provided rides and slides for the young and the young at heart. Thanks to the many volunteers, it offered many kinds of games and raffle baskets, as well as food to the hungry carnival-goers. The carnival not only provides fun but also funds the Dalton Fire Company.

“The carnival is the largest fundraiser of the year,” said Dalton Fire Co. president Justin Sturdevant. “This is where we make the general operating costs to run the fire department and purchase equipment.”

The Dalton Fire Co. is also helped by the Chinchilla Hose Co. which runs the homemade pizza stand, raising money for both fire companies.

“It’s a good carnvial,” said James Durdan, Chinchilla’s EMS lieutenant and co-chairman of the pizza stand.

Raffle baskets at a stand run by co-chairs Jeanne Myers and Karen White, raised funds for the Dalton Fire Co., as well.

“We love it,” said Myers. “We like talking to the people, having conversations and seeing people we haven’t seen.”

The carnival also provided opportunity for other organizations to raise funds. Dalton United Methodist Church raised funds by having a stand serving fruit-flavored slushies. The carnival is one of the two main fundraisers for the Dalton Lions Club as its members made potato pancakes and pizza frittas during the event. They make their own batter while using 600 pounds of potatoes and 150 poundsof onions.

“I’ve been coming to it all my life,” said Lions Club member Brent VanFleet. “I was born and raised in Dalton.”

The other big fundraiser for the Dalton Lions Club is the coin drop on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

The annual firemen’s parade, in which 52 pieces of fire apparatus and a dozen of tow trucks went through town on Main Street and back to the carnival grounds, was held July 12. The Greater Scranton Diamond Band performed in the parade, along with multiple marchers and antique tractors.

Joe Janichko and his wife Cathy, who have been judging the parade for decades, judged the fire trucks again this year, giving the Triton Hose Co. fire truck the nod as best appearing company.

Libby, 6, of Factoryvillem smiles as she finishes going down the big slide.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190710_193624-1.jpg.optimal.jpgLibby, 6, of Factoryvillem smiles as she finishes going down the big slide. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Makenna Coggins, 10, of Dalton, becomes a target of the dunk tank.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190710_203230.jpg.optimal.jpgMakenna Coggins, 10, of Dalton, becomes a target of the dunk tank. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Molly Keeler, left, 9, and her 6-year-old brother Patrick, both of Clarks Summit, have fun riding the Sizzler.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190710_204929.jpg.optimal.jpgMolly Keeler, left, 9, and her 6-year-old brother Patrick, both of Clarks Summit, have fun riding the Sizzler. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Dalton Lions Club member Mark Young cooks potato pancakes at the carnival.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190710_210010-1.jpg.optimal.jpgDalton Lions Club member Mark Young cooks potato pancakes at the carnival. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Members of the Dalton Lions Club make pizza frittas and potato pancakes. From left, are Madaline Lori, treasurer Al Lori, Sandra Rees and Brent VanFleet.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190710_210151.jpg.optimal.jpgMembers of the Dalton Lions Club make pizza frittas and potato pancakes. From left, are Madaline Lori, treasurer Al Lori, Sandra Rees and Brent VanFleet. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Local band Mace in Dickson performs Saturday evening.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_20190713_200318.jpg.optimal.jpgLocal band Mace in Dickson performs Saturday evening. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

By Ben Freda

For Abington Journal

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