69th Annual Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Convention concludes with parade

Hundreds of firefighters from across the region gathered for the 69th Annual Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Convention Parade in Schuylkill Haven and Cressona on Saturday, Aug. 26.

This year’s convention — featuring the theme “Better Together: Two Houses, One Family” — was hosted by Liberty Fire Company in Schuylkill Haven and Good Will Hose in Cressona.

The parade capped off a week of events that included a memorial service at St. Marks UCC in Cressona on Aug. 20, honoring Robert “Boat” Peel, past chief of Liberty Fire Company No. 4 in Schuylkill Haven; Robert “Bobby” Berger, past Cressona fire chief; and Herbert “Herbie” Berger, a Harrisburg firefighter whose roots were in Liberty Fire Company. Members of the honorees’ families rode in vehicles in the first division of the parade.

The Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association Delegates Night recognized many firefighters for their years of service, as well as Schuylkill County Emergency Manager John Matz and Jerry Knowles for their careers in support and dedication to area firefighters.

Good Will Hose Company, Cressona, hosted Mug Night festivities as part of the 2023 Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association Convention, which featured music by the band Hooligan.

Pottsville Fire Department will host the 70th annual Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Association Convention May 5 to 11.

Standing at the judges stand prior to the parade start, Ashland fire Chief Phil Groody welcomed the crowd, saying the parade was the result of a combination of two companies but one family coming together.

“Our hats off to those folks who have worked several years to pull this day off,” he said. “And most of all, we thank God for a good clear, sunny day.”

Groody, a member of the Officers Club with officers of fire departments in Schuylkill, Columbia, Berks and Montour counties, was among the parade judges.

Judging involves knowledge of the driver and the officers, the type of equipment and if they know how to use that equipment, all tallied into points, Groody said.

Major awards included the Robert “Boat” Peel Award presented to the overall best marching unit and the Herbert “Herbie” Berger Award presented to the best overall company of three pieces or more.

“Thank you everybody for coming out and supporting such a wonderful event,” Groody said. “Over the years, parades and conventions have gone to the wayside. There are many reasons. The fire service itself has been dwindling.”

About 25-30 years ago, there were 300,000 volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania. Today, that number is about 30,000, he said.

“It’s no different here in Schuylkill Haven and it’s no different in Ashland. We are losing volunteers left and right, whether it be through attrition, passing on or people just don’t … want to be involved; they don’t have the time,” he said.

“Today was a team effort to go together,” Groody continued. “We look around at how many communities are consolidating, doing more with less.”

“Consider us collectively very fortunate to have the Schuylkill County Convention alive and well,” he said.

Along with judging, Groody provided his knowledge and history of equipment and fire companies.

Cressona Chief Michael Pontician and Schuylkill Haven Chief Mike Donati led the parade, followed by Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph G. Groody, the color guard of Robert E. Baker American Legion Post 38 in Schuylkill Haven and the women of Cressona and Schuylkill Haven American Legion post auxiliaries.

Hundreds of firetrucks and firefighters participated in the seven-division parade that started on Saylor Street in Schuylkill Haven and ended at Hydro-North American Extrusions plant in Cressona.

Spectators lined the streets along the 1.7-mile route, clapping for the passing firefighters waving from a variety of firetrucks with lights flashing but no sirens.

Participating fire companies hailed from near and far, including Palo Alto, Landingville, New Ringgold, St. Clair, Pottsville, Pine Grove, Orwigsburg, Mahanoy City, Tamaqua, Newtown Square, Ashland, Kulpmont, Plymouth, and Swatara, as well as Rainbow Hose Company No. 1 and Schuylkill Hose Company No. 2 of Schuylkill Haven, just to name a few.

Equipment on display included everything from antique fire apparatus to new tankers, including the 1928 Ahrens Fox pumper belonging to West End Hose Company No. 7 in Pottsville.

Hawk Mountain Highlanders performed for the 69th Annual Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Convention Parade in Schuylkill Haven and Cressona on Saturday, Aug. 26. (Lisa Mitchell - MediaNews Group)

The Pottsville Area High School Marching Band participated in the 69th Annual Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Convention Parade in Schuylkill Haven and Cressona on Saturday, Aug. 26. (Lisa Mitchell - MediaNews Group)

The Blue Mountain High School Marching Band participated in the 69th Annual Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Convention Parade in Schuylkill Haven and Cressona on Saturday, Aug. 26. (Lisa Mitchell - MediaNews Group)

Members of the Nittany Highland Pipe Band of State College perform during the 69th Annual Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Convention Parade in Schuylkill Haven and Cressona on Saturday, Aug. 26. (Lisa Mitchell - MediaNews Group)

Schuylkill Haven High School's marching band and cheerleaders participated in the 69th Annual Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Convention Parade in Schuylkill Haven and Cressona on Saturday, Aug. 26. (Lisa Mitchell - MediaNews Group)

Several groups performed in the parade, including bagpipe bands Nittany Highland Pipe Band of State College and Hawk Mountain Highlanders, marching units from Schuylkill Haven, Pottsville and Blue Mountain high schools, Upper Schuylkill Marching Band of Shenandoah and Liberty Fire Company No. 3 Marching Club of Lebanon.

A performance by Toolshed Jack at Good Will Hose in Cressona followed the parade.

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