Firefighters to converge on Taftville for state convention
Norwich — The final preparations and schedule have been set for this weekend’s Connecticut State Firefighters’ Convention and parade that will descend upon Taftville Friday through Sunday.
The event will bring hundreds of firefighters from across the state to the village. Plenty of attractions will be open to the public, highlighted by the Stephen Siller Foundation 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit Trailer Saturday and Sunday, and a grand parade at noon Sunday through the village.
Festivities will begin Friday with an official escort leading the Never Forget exhibit trailer to the grounds of Wequonnoc School late in the afternoon. Convention organizer Greg Schlough said people are encouraged to line the path in safe locations along Harland Road-Route 169 from the Route 2 intersection to the school at 155 Providence St.-Route 169. The escort is expected to start on Route 2 in Manchester and reach Harland Road between 3:30 and 3:45 p.m.
“Come on out, wave to them, cheer, support them,” Schlough said.
The Never Forget exhibit will be open free of charge to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, reopening in the late afternoon for three hours following the parade. The exhibit features Sept. 11 artifacts from Ground Zero at the World Trade Center in New York and is staffed by New York City firefighters volunteering their time.
While the firefighters convention at the Kelly Middle School auditorium Saturday will be closed to the public, the dozens of vendors at the school gym will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Schlough said only two of the registered vendors feature fire equipment, so the vast majority will be of general interest, carrying clothing, arts and crafts, candles and jewelry.
On Sunday, the Taftville Sacred Heart Parents Association will host a breakfast starting at 8 a.m. open to the public.
The main event Sunday will be the state Firefighters Association Convention Parade at noon, led by the Taftville Volunteer Fire Department. Fire apparatus and other participants will line up along the Lisbon incinerator entrance road and will make their way through the streets of Taftville, ending at Wequonnoc School. Parade vehicles are expected to park in various locations following the parade.
Road closures will begin at 11:15 a.m. and are listed on the Taftville Volunteer Fire Department’s website, www.taftvillefire.org, and on the 2017 State Firemen’s Convention in Taftville Facebook page.
Following the parade, a village festival open to the public featuring music and food vendors will be held in the village park behind the Taftville fire station, 134 Providence St.
While participants are celebrating, the members of the Parade Marshals Association will be tallying their parade judging scorecards to award prizes to winning parade floats and marching groups.
All events will be held rain or shine. For more information, contact the Taftville fire station at (860) 8876676 or email Schlough at gaschlough@snet.net.