South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department Kicks Off 75th Anniversary Celebration with Dinner/Dance

The South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department kicked off its year-long 75th anniversary celebration Friday with a dinner/dance party at Maneeley’s Banquet & Catering.

And volunteer firefighter Robin “Packi” Pendleton perhaps best captured the excitement that the 350 banquet attendees showed for the volunteer fire department by shaving “SWFD 75th” into the back of his head.

“It just shows the enthusiasm we have through the department,” said Chief Kevin Cooney. “It was awesome.”

The night was, according to Cooney, an unmitigated success.

“It was an outstanding show of support from the community and we were very, very blessed from the show of support internally and externally from the department,” Cooney said.

Cooney credited five people - co-chairs Scott Fine and Tom Pederzoli as well as Cheryl Pederzoli, Andrew Hildebrand and Melissa Bengtson - for the event going on without a hitch.

In addition to the dinner and dance, the celebration included a raffle and a silent auction to raise funds for more events for the anniversary.

Indeed, part of the celebration includes hosting the State Firemen’s Association Convention in September, as well as a town-wide picnic that will also have a parade.

Cooney said that no taxpayer money will be used in the celebration and that the fundraising was necessary to offset the cost of the events that will take place throughout the year.

Other fundraisers scheduled for this year will include a Touch A Truck event, a trip to the casinos and a golf tournament.

“It’s going to be a great year,” Cooney said.