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| By RON JEFFERS |
| A future firefighter points to the apparatus that he likes as the Tri-Counties parade begins. |
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| By RON JEFFERS |
| A beautiful 1916 Ford Model T, from the Niagra Fire Company, goes through the judging. |
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| By RON JEFFERS |
| Drafting at Manalapan Lake included a ladder pipe operation by a 1978 Maxim tiller. |
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| By RON JEFFERS |
| Numerous vendors were on hand offering fire service related items. |
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| By RON JEFFERS |
| Former Vally Center, Ca.'s 1959 Crown 1000-gpm pumper. |
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| By RON JEFFERS |
| A 1960 American LaFrance 750-GPM pumper, in excellent condition. |
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| By RON JEFFERS |
| During the Cold War era, the federal government offered funds through the Civil Defense program. The Irvington F.D. acquired this 1953 Mack 750-GPM pumper through the federal program and it possessed "CD" markings. It's now owned by Garry Steita of the Union F.D. |
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| By RON JEFFERS |
| This 1949 Ford/Approved saw original duty as a Philadelphia hose & booster wagon. It is now part of the NJ Fire Museum. |
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Jamesburg, NJ - This annual antique fire apparatus and flea market has been, and continues to be, a huge success among those who love fire trucks. This was evident by the participants and a larger-than-normal amount of apparatus photographers, from several states, that showed up on the blue sky Sunday morning of June 23rd. Over 50 pieces of firefighting apparatus arrived to be displayed, parade and pump.
The muster is held at Thompson County Park, where there is a large parking area for lining up rigs for display purposes, and another parking area for drafting.
This association is photographer friendly, and understands the serious apparatus photographers' request. As the rigs drive into the park, the morning sun is at the right angle to stop and pose the rigs for photos before they sign in. There is also a sign, supplied by the organization, that tells drivers to stop for photographs.
After checking in, the rigs are lined up in the parking area and prepare for the parade through Jamesburg. Kids, young and old, ride the rigs with lights flashing and sirens sounding. Others enjoy the procession going by and taping same.
Back in the park, members of the Jamesburg Fire Department set up a refreshment stand. This includes a breakfast menu for those who arrive early, and the usual hamburger and hot dog lunch is also provided. In addition, there were plenty of vendors under the trees offering fire related items.
After the parade, the rigs return to the parking area and the judging begins. Some apparatus operators by-pass the judging and report directly to the lake for drafting. An added treat this year was a ladder pipe operation performed by a 1978 Maxim tiller that saw original duty in Holyoke, Ma. The rig is owned and operated by Camden Fire Captain Joel Bain and his son, Joel, Jr., also a city firefighter.
Some of the newer visiting rigs that caught the attention of apparatus enthusiasts (besides the Maxim tiller), included a 1959 Crown pumper from Valley Center, Ca.; an open cab 1960 American LaFrance pumper lettered “Clonbur;” and a white colored 1953 Mack pumper that was a Civil Defense unit in Irvington.
In addition, there was a 1949 Ford/Approved, lettered “Warren Grove,” that saw original duty as a city of Philadelphia hose and booster wagon. It is currently operated by the New Jersey Fire Museum & Fallen Firefighter's Memorial.
Many operators of apparatus, that spanned numerous decades and are either privately or fire company owned, received a trophy to take home.
Once again, Tri-Counties President Dave Burns and his committee that includes Dave Napier, Greg Kennedy and Gary Avazier, and the entire organization, deserve another big, “Well done!”.
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