'Firemen's Muster' Planned for June 2

The Newark Museum and the Newark Fire Department Historical Association will be hosting the 46th annual Firemen’s Muster Sunday, June 2 from 10:30 am to 3 pm at the Newark Museum, 49 Washington St. Events will also be held across the street at Washington Park.

A parade, led by the Newark Firefighters Pipe and Drum Band, is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 pm from in front of the museum on Washington Street.  

Rain date for the muster and parade is June 9.

The day-long festivities and programming are scheduled in Washington Park, inside the Museum and in the Newark Fire Museum, located in the Alice Dreyfuss Memorial Garden on the Newark Museum grounds.  One of the day’s most popular events pits firehouse chefs from the tri-county area competing for recognition with their signature dishes in the Newark Firehouse Cook-Off.

According to the event's coordinator, Newark Firefighter Rich Mackey, a new exhibit for this year’s event will be an antique car show featuring a large collection of classic vehicles . Approximately 40 regional fire departments are expected to join their Newark brothers in the annual muster.

Fireman’s Fair educational displays set up in Washington Park on June 2 until 3:30 pm include antique fire memorabilia and a Firematic Flea Market featuring a wide array of Newark Fire Department and Fair souvenirs.  All educational activities are free. Hot dogs and beverages are provided with the purchase of the 2013 commemorative muster mug.  Antique apparatus will be judged and trophies awarded.

Doors of the Newark Museum and Newark Fire Museum open at noon.  Family activity workshops scheduled in the museum include building a firefighter action hero; assembling wood puzzles depicting historic pictures from the Newark Fire Museum, and three planetarium shows. An exhibition of hand-built model fire apparatus presented by the Metropolitan Miniature Fire Apparatus Association will be on display. The Museum’s gift shop will remain open throughout the day.

The Fire Museum commemorates and documents the more-than-253-year history of the Newark Fire Department and pays tribute to the brave firefighters who gave their lives to protect the city’s residents.

The parade route follows a triangular course down Washington to Broad; across Broad to New street; up New back to Washington street.  The fire engines, fire trucks, rescue squads and other vehicles will remain on display around Washington Park until 3:30 pm. Also participating will be Newark and regional EMT units.

For more information call Mackey at 973-600-4961.