Mont Alto, Fayetteville Fire Departments carnivals canceled
The 45th annual Mont Alto Fireman’s carnival, which was scheduled for June 12-20, has been canceled in the interest of public health and safety, according to Jamie Reed, vice president of the Mont Alto Fire Department and chairman of the carnival.
“This is one of the most disappointing things I’ve had to do,” Reed said. “Last year, we made the most we ever have in holding the carnival — $145,000 — to this year, having to cancel it. I never thought this would have to happen in Mont Alto. This is disappointing for not only us, but for the whole community.”
Despite the cancellation, the fire department will serve a takeout menu on June 12, 13, 19 and 20, including their fresh-cut fries and funnel cakes.
{ The Chambersburg Public Opinion's coverage of coronavirus is being provided for free to our readers. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing at publicopiniononline.com/subscribe. }
“This is something different and we are hoping that the community comes out and supports this effort,” Reed said. “Carnival food trucks are coming, too, and they are bringing pizzas, candied apples and all our deep-fried favorites.”
Hours of operation for food pick-up will be 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays. “The food will be served just like at the carnival, with the serving windows spaced apart and we just ask that the public practice social distancing as much as possible,” Reed said.
He said the fire department is also in discussion on having multiple chicken barbecues throughout the summer to help offset the loss of revenue from the carnival.
Another annual tradition, this one put on by the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department, has also been canceled. That carnival was scheduled to run May 28-June 6. It, along with the June 5 fireworks and nightly live music are shuttered.
“We waited to the last minute to cancel it based on what the governor was allowing organizations to do,” said Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department President, Mark Bumbaugh.
The annual event typically brings in about $80,000 for the fire department.
“We have a few fundraisers coming up, including our soups and sandwich sale on May 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the fire company carnival grounds. We will also have baked goods, and people can just drive in to pick up their food,” Bumbaugh said. “Thankfully, we have been able to hold our own though this. We have just been taking it day by day.”
In Greencastle, Rescue Hose Co. is selling yard signs in honor of the Greencastle-Antrim High School Class of 2020 as one way to compensate for regular fundraisers that have been affected by the pandemic.
“Fundraising is what we rely on each year to help offset our operating costs,” Cheryl Mowen, president, said in April when the sign sale started. “Fundraising during this time of uncertainty, social distancing and the stay-at-home order has been difficult at best.”
A short drive up the mountain, Blue Ridge Summit Fire Chief, Jim Meek, said the cancellations just add to the challenges for the volunteer departments.
Blue Ridge’s gun bash, which was originally scheduled with Waynesboro Fire Department for May 30, has been rescheduled for Sept. 19.
More:Pandemic cancelations: The Franklin County Fair isn't going to happen this year
More:Path Valley Speedway promoters, drivers cope with COVID-19 fallout
Blue Ridge Summit, like most companies, continues to look for new ways to supplement income and recently held a chicken barbecue fundraiser to help with the loss of income from other events.
“The fire departments are struggling right now with raising funds to pay the bills,” Meek said. “All of our events, including bingo, have been postponed. We haven’t had a bingo session since March, 22. That’s a huge hit to our funds. It’s the foundation of our fundraising.”
John Irwin is a Gannett reporter based in Waynesboro.