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SOUTH SALEM, N.Y. Hundreds of people line Route 35 Wednesday evening to watch 25 area fire departments and 11 marching bands parade along the highway a highlight of the South Salem Fire Department's annual carnival, which was celebrating its 73rd year of service.
We expect 700 to 800 people to be marching in the parade, said Kevin Andros, parade chairman. We have about 25 departments and they bring along their own marching bands. The South Salem Fire Department has been using the Dixie Dandies [marching band] for about 30 years. Theyre a small band but easy to keep step to.
This year, the trophy for best in show was named in honor of Bill Lynch, the longtime South Salem Fire Department member and parade chairman who passed away last week at the age of 89.
This is more of a community event than a fundraiser, Fire Chief Andrew Llewellyn said of the carnival and parade. Its a tradition for the town and something we look forward to every summer.
Lewellyn said the midway rides and games that featured a Ferris wheel and fun house were provided by Stewart Amusements.
The fire department runs the food booths and we do a raffle, Llewellyn said. This year we are raffling off $3,000 in cash prizes.
The food included the traditional carnival fair such as sausage-and-pepper sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs, French fries, funnel cakes and cotton candy. There were also some deep-fried confections, such as the deep-fried Oreo cookies.
The carnival attracted people from all over, including neighboring Connecticut, who consider the event just as much a tradition for their families as Lewisboro residents do.
I grew up and live in Ridgefield, [Conn.] but this is a traditional annual event for us, said Jamie Pearl, who had her young niece in tow. Ive been coming here since I was a little kid, so it reminds me of my childhood. This [carnival] is one of the best ones around.
Pearls niece, Ella Rose, 7, concurred.
I like winning prizes, she said. My favorite ride is the Dizzy Dragon, but I want to try the roller coaster.
The carnival runs now through Saturday night on the grounds of the South Salem firehouse on Route 35.
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