Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Fire Truck Rodeo

What could be more fun for boys to see than a fire truck? How about 30 to 50 of them! Our town hosts the oldest and one of the largest fire truck parades in the country!
On the morning of  the parade, fire trucks from many states and counties rolled in to compete in a "Fire Truck Rodeo". The weather was a little iffy; cool and gray. We had gotten up early to watch the Royal Wedding, and then treated ourselves to this exhibition.

Many Antique trucks participated. They are kept in mint condition.

This fire truck was rigged up with a video monitor playing a fire safety movie for children.
 The little guy enjoyed every bit of this show!
As there were close to a hundred fire fighters in attendance, some vendors set up shop to market goods specific to a fire-fighter's interests.Pictured are old hoses, sirens, lights and extinguishers.
Another vendor had old-fashioned toys for sale.The fire-fighter carrying the child was very poignant and captured the spirit of how many of these public servants feel about their job.They seem to LOVE it!

Everything had to be judged on a scale of one hundred. My camera's battery was exhausted before I could get a picture of the actual Rodeo. Cones were set up and the engines had to negotiate a single, curvy lane backwards!!!
When they weren't competing, all the fire-folks spent their time cleaning their engines! Just for a change, lol!

Dear Lord, Please protect all of these hard working men and women who labor tirelessly to help us. Bless them for their work and dedication and also their families who sacrifice so much so that we can be safe. Amen.