Fire Prevention Festival Balances Fun and Awareness
All the Emergency Apparatus Drivers gather for a safety meeting before the start of the parade.
Along with fire engines from all over West Tennessee of all years, the Greenfield Fire Department drove their 1945 Apparatus, with Sparky the Dog along for the ride.
Greenfield Fire Chief Bob Dudley
Members of fire departments from all over West Tennessee gathered in Greenfield for the 34th Annual Fire Prevention Festival. The festivities began last week with a chili lunch on Tuesday, a kick-off breakfast on Wednesday, a spaghetti supper on Thursday, and a pork chop dinner on Friday.
The main events of the festival were held on Saturday, October 8 with many events being located around Front Street. A food drive was held around City Hall for the Sacks Food Pantry of Greenfield with the Greenfield Booster Club selling BBQ by the Pound.
An Arts and Crafts Show was held in the yard of Greenfield Banking Co. with homemade sweets, candles, clothing and tumblers being sold. A car show was held with many vintage vehicles being shown and some taking part in the parade.
The Annual Book Sale was held at the Dr. Nathan Porter Library and voice students of Lisa Hilliard performed before the parade. A live fire burn was held to show the importance of water sprinklers by NFSA, and the Madison County Fire Department hosted a Puppet Show to demonstrate what to do when children are near fire, smoke or on fire and what to do when they hear a fire alarm.
There was also a small fair held inside the Greenfield Fire Department where public health businesses and law enforcement agencies gave supplies for children and parents regarding disaster management, including coloring books, reading material for children and adults, fingerprinting sets that children could use, and candy. Children met with Smoky the Bear and Sparky the Dog.
The parade had emergency vehicles from Greenfield, Madison County, Cottage Grove, Trenton, Pillowville, Hickman, McKenzie, Sharon, Sidonia, Weakley County Rescue Squad, Weakley County EMS, Gleason, Huntingdon, Dresden, Camden, Fayette County, Rutherford, Jackson, Bradford, Tiptonville, Ore Springs-Como, Samburg-Reelfoot, Dyer, and Gibson County.
Before the parade, awards were given for the Oldest Apparatus, Newest Apparatus and Furthest Driven Apparatus.
Cottage Grove won the Oldest Apparatus with a 1941 Ford, and Newest Apparatus and Furthest Driven with 93 miles to the parade went to Fayette County.
After the parade, a Tie Dye Party was held at the Greenfield Community Room, and later in the evening, the Will Burton Band with Cade Doyle performed with a large fireworks display.
Pope’s Concessions was set up for much of the week for residents to grab something good to eat during the festival.
The Grand Marshal for the event was Billy Godwin, who was born and raised in Greenfield, joined the U.S. Army, and returned to Greenfield in 1977. Since returning he has worked at World Color book factory and helped out with the Senior Center, over which he served as director until April of this year.
