GOSHEN FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 2006 PARADE

Chief Sean P. Thornton of the Goshen Fire Department has announced plans for the 2006 Triennial Fire Parade and related events to be held during June, 2006. This year's parade will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Minisink Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, Inc - indeed a milestone for any organization. The chief noted that the Minisinks would be joining the Cataract Engine and Hose Co. No. 1, Inc. (163 years old) and the Dikeman Engine and Hose Co. No. 3, Inc. (133 years old) in Goshen's century club.

For many years, the Goshen fire fighters have begun their festivities with a church service and breakfast for themselves and selected guests. In 2006, the parade week festivities will begin with attendance at morning services at St James Episcopal Church, followed by breakfast, on Sunday, June 4th.

Chief Thornton announced that the first public event of the week will be the Hose Laying Contest for visiting companies on the afternoon of June 4th, on Park Place. Noting that this was always a fun event for the spectators as well as the participants, Chief Thornton stated that this year's contest events would, again, include a "Mystery Contest" as well as the more traditional competition. The rules for the "Mystery Contest" will be furnished the teams only during the pre-contest meeting on the 4th.

The members, quarters, and apparatus of the three Goshen Companies and the Fire Police will be inspected on Friday evening, June 9th. The inspection party - the Chiefs, Commissioners, Marshals, and others - will visit all three stations in turn, finishing up at the Cataract Station on Green Street.

The fire parade and float parade will be held on June 10th, a very busy day for the Goshen Fire Fighters. Apparatus of the visiting companies will be inspected by the parade judges beginning at 9:00 AM on the 10th at the Village parking lot, opposite the Minisink Firehouse. Chief Thornton noted that the visiting companies will be vying for several awards, in various categories, for the best appearing apparatus. Stating that the guest companies all take a lot of pride in their apparatus and equipment, the Chief noted that there will be keen competition to win the "Best Overall Apparatus" award.

The Fire Parade will begin at 1:30 PM, lining up at the Government Center parking lot and winding through the village, passing the reviewing stand at the Minisink Firehouse on N. Church Street. Judges will be positioned throughout the parade route to inspect the passing units, selecting winners in several categories. Following the parade, marchers and other invited guests will enjoy a barbeque.

On the evening of June 10th, the traditional Float Parade will be held. Chief Thornton described this event as being similar to a "Mardi Gras" parade. All businesses, clubs, school classes, families and individuals are invited to participate in this event which begins at 7:30 PM. Invitations and explanatory letters regarding this event will be mailed out within the next month and the Chief encouraged everyone to consider entering this year's edition of the Float Parade. The event's theme for 2006 is, "Minisink's 100th Anniversary."

At the conclusion of the Float Parade (Approximately 9:00 PM) the Goshen Fire Fighters will present various awards and trophies. These will represent recognition of superior performance and appearance in the Hose Laying Contests, the Apparatus Inspection, the Fire Parade and the Float Parade.

Chief Thornton concluded that his department had been working since last June in the planning of the various events and cited the cooperation of the various village officials thus far in the planning phase. He also stated that he hoped all of the Goshen citizens and our neighbors would come out and support the Goshen Volunteer Fire Fighters.