Carnival brings community together

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Beacon Falls Firefighter Paul Brennan serves up a steamed lobster during the annual Beacon Hose Firemen’s Carnival and Parade last year in Beacon Falls. This year’s carnival kicks off June 9. –FILE PHOTO
Beacon Falls Firefighter Paul Brennan serves up a steamed lobster during the annual Beacon Hose Firemen’s Carnival and Parade last year in Beacon Falls. This year’s carnival kicks off June 9. –FILE PHOTO

BEACON FALLS — When firefighters converge on an area, it is usually because of a disaster. That won’t be the case next week.

The 53rd annual Beacon Hose Firemen’s Carnival and Parade kicks off June 9 at the firehouse, 35 North Main St., for three nights of food, fun and games.

“For the past 53 years this has been a homecoming for people that moved out. Newer people have a chance to meet residents that have been in town for a long time. The carnival is a social meeting point and an annual rite of passage,” Beacon Hose Fire Chief James Trzaski said.

The carnival is open from 6 to 10 p.m. on June 9, 6 to 11 p.m. on June 10, and 3 p.m. to midnight on June 11.

The carnival will feature live music, a trivia contest on June 9 and 50/50 raffles each evening.

On June 11, Beacon Hose will host the annual parade, which will feature over 25 fire departments, Trzaski said. The parade steps off at Route 42 and South Main Street at 6 p.m.

Among the carnival’s new attractions this year is Willy the Bull, a mechanical bull carnival goers can ride for fun or enter a challenge to try to win $200.

The department will also debut Beacon Hose merchandise, such as T-shirts, hats, hoodies, and drinkware, which the company will be selling.

In addition to being a fun event for the town, the carnival is the department’s largest fundraiser.

Trzaski said all of the money the department raises goes back into the community.

The department uses the funds to sponsor sports teams in town and the town-wide Christmas tree lighting and Easter egg hunt. The department also adopts families in need over the holidays and awards scholarships to Long River Middle School and Woodland Regional High School students, Trzaski said.

Trzaski thanked residents for their ongoing support of the carnival for the past five decades.

“We couldn’t fulfill our mission without continued support of the townspeople and town leaders. We are very passionate about what we do. Our members go above and beyond and take a personal approach when responding to calls and helping people. They do it for nothing but the satisfaction of helping. It means a lot to them to be appreciated,” Trzaski said.

First Selectmen Christopher Bielik encouraged everyone to come down to the carnival.

“The Beacon Hose Company No. 1 annual carnival is not only one of the town’s greatest opportunities for family entertainment, but it’s also a vital fundraiser for an organization that gives back many times over to the residents of Beacon Falls.  Anyone who enjoys an atmosphere with great food and music, fun games of skill, and rides for both young and old, and the chance to see a parade on Saturday evening, should definitely plan on coming,” Bielik said.