Apple Blossom Festival Firefighters' Parade biggest and best...

The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is a ten-day extravaganza hosted annually to celebrate the arrival of spring and the apple blossoms flowering in the orchards surrounding the city. The festival is Winchester’s signature event. Residents and businesses decorate for the occasion and wear the official colors of the festival – pink and green. First held in 1924, it is one of the oldest civic celebrations in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Crowds in excess of 250,000 attend the festival each year.

Coordinated by members of the Winchester and Frederick County firefighters for the 89th year, the 2024 Firefighters’ Parade will commence at 5:30 pm Friday, May 3. See Antique Firetruck’s start with the pre-parade showcasing 54 entries of vintage firefighting equipment dating back to a 1870 Knox Hose Reel cart which was often pulled by four men.

Career and volunteer firefighters driving and riding in 200 vehicles, representing 4 states and DC, will converge downtown for the start of the annual Firefighters’ Parade that lasts over two hours. Our local Fire Companies are in the first of four Division’s to display their latest state-of-the art equipment. I would like to give a shoutout to Stephens City Volunteer Fire and Rescue (SCVFR) as our oldest county fire company, established in 1939. SCVFR will be driving their 2017 Pierce Velocity, 2000 GPM, 1000 Gallon and 1989 Mack Swab MC.

The fourth Division is the Siren Division where the Fire Companies can sound their sirens, symbolizing the cavalry call of a fire engine racing towards an emergency. There are Miss Honorary Fire Company winners, celebrities, marching school, military and civic bands and numerous special units.

The route is approximately 1.5 miles and takes 45 minutes to complete. It begins at the corner of South Cameron and East Cork Streets and winds around the historic downtown area (trail of pink petals), terminating at the Grand Stand near the iconic Handley High School campus. Thousands of people will line the parade route. This is a scintillating event, where friends, families and the entire community gather to give homage to our uniformed firefighters and paramedic personnel.

From earliest times, people have always seen fire companies as the epitome of selfless heroism. Firefighters are ever vigilant and prepared to protect families and homes in the community. Men and women volunteer because no other organization can match the adventure that is found in a fire fight or the satisfaction of saving human life and property.

Volunteer fire companies remain the heart of their neighborhoods and have overwhelming support from local stakeholders including town and county governments, citizens, and businesses in which they serve. Fire companies are always upgrading their property, equipment, and fleet as firefighting technology progresses. However, what is constant is the courage of the men and women who are called to public service to fight fires and protect their fellow citizens.
May God continue to bless them. Amen!

Before 1929, firemen blended themselves into the Grand Feature Parade and little children tagged along at the tail end of it. The first Torchlight and Mummers’ Parade (forerunner of the Firefighters’ Parade) took place on Thursday April 18, 1929 and began at 8 pm with all four of the Winchester fire departments (Friendship, Rouss, Sarah Zane, and South End) participating. The fire department marshall had to clear the streets of impromptu marches in advance of the firemen.

Each firefighter carried a flaming torch to lend a dramatic effect as well as to light up the streets. In 1930, efforts were made to increase participation in the parade. City firemen were requested to march with or without a uniform. Let there be no curbside firemen. A newspaper account then cited, "fire companies of this city and their visiting organizations will present a great torchlight parade through the streets. Many scenes in the life of the firefighters will be depicted, some of a comic, and others of a real nature. Following the 'Firemans Frolic,' dance halls will vibrate with the melodies of numerous dance orchestras which will carry the festival spirit far into the night."

In 1936 the parade name changed to Rouss Fireman’s Torchlight Parade. As the parade increased in size, so did the number of spectators. An estimated 20,000 lined the streets and hung from trees to witness the 1939 Torchlight Parade. The start time gradually grew earlier as the parade became longer due to neighboring fire companies being invited to participate in the event.

No parade was held from 1942 to 1945 during World War II. But, 1946 brought the parades rebirth and the first floats. That year the parade stretched for two miles and took one hour to pass the reviewing stands. 26 fire companies participated in at that time, the largest parade in its history.

In 1947, the Winchester and Frederick County fire companies elected the first Honorary Fire and Rescue Chief to represent them. In 1950 the name changed to Firemans' Parade. The first celebrity to lead the Firemans' Parade was sports announcer Harry Wismer (voice of the Washington Redskins) in 1951.

The 1964 Firemen's Parade had about 5,500 participants and began at 6 pm. The parade route moved north on Cameron Street to Baker Street, west on Baker to Loudoun Street, south on Loudoun to Germain Street, west on Germain to Stewart Street, south on Stewart to Handley Boulevard, east on Handley for two blocks, past the reviewing stand, and disbanded after passing Braddock Street.

In 1968, the Fireman's Parade had grown to well over 200 vehicles, including bands with marching units. By 1975 the festival was proclaiming it was now the largest congregation of firefighters and equipment and the oldest continuous annual parade of its type in the world.

The parade name changed again to Firefighters' Parade in 1981. That year the Apple Blossom Festival entertained over 200,000 visitors. The parade featured firefighting equipment and volunteer firefighters from seven states with country music star Margo Smith as Parade Marshall. One fire company from Connecticut attended. 110 marching bands participated in the parade.

The 1984 Firefighters' Parade exhibited more that 400 units of firefighting equipment and volunteer firefighters from states up and down the east coast. Reserved seating was available as bleacher or chair seats for $3 each.

The parade was shuttered in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

Do not forget the free Fire Truck Rodeo, Antique Show & Kids' Activities on Friday morning, May 3. A day dedicated to fire trucks. Rodeo competition starts Friday at 9:30 a.m., rain or shine at Millbrook High School. There is plenty of free parking.

Firefighters get the chance to demonstrate their driving skills and improve the performance of their everyday driving. Come on out to see antique and brand new fire engines, aerial ladders and specialty vehicles up close. Many of the antique vehicles and equipment are more than 100 years old.