Orange Firefighters' Annual Firemen's Carnival Opens Aug. 1

ORANGE, Conn. - July 23, 2024 - PRLog -- With the annual Orange Volunteer Fire Department Carnival starting in just days, Orange-area residents are buying raffle tickets and wristbands for rides, and planning their visits to the fireworks show. The carnival runs from April 1 through April 4.

"People will find all the things they love about the carnival," said Firefighter Don Foyer, who chairs the event. "Rides for kids, great food and challenging games. And, of course, the raffle."

Foyer said this will be the 96^th production of the Orange Volunteer Firemen's Carnival (https://www.orangevfd.org/carnival). The primary fundraiser for the Fire Department since it was created in 1925, the carnival has been canceled only for World War II, the polio epidemic and COVID-19. The department celebrates its 100^th birthday next year.

"This started as a small event with homemade games and giveaways from local businesses," he said. "It was on the Town Green. Today, it's one of the largest carnivals in the region with people coming from all over Connecticut and sometimes beyond."

The carnival opens at 5 p.m. on Aug. 1. Other hours are Aug. 2 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Aug. 3 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free, and parking is a $5 donation.

Advance sales for discounted ride wristbands are available at the Orange Volunteer Fire Department website (https://www.orangevfd.org/carnival) until the Wednesday before the carnival. Ride tickets also will be available at the carnival.

The program will include fireworks on Saturday night. In addition, the department will sponsor its annual raffle. Tickets are $5 each. Prizes range from $10,000 in cash to gift cards ranging from $150 to $400 at local businesses.

Orange residents received tickets in the mail and additional tickets can be purchased at Town Hall; the Boston Post Road fire station; Knights Power Equipment, 286 Boston Post Road; and at Chips Family Restaurant, 321 Boston Post Road, all in Orange. Raffle tickets, along with information, are available on the OVFD website (https://www.orangevfd.org/carnival/). Tickets will also be available during the carnival.

Not only has the carnival grown to be an area favorite for a night out, it's a major fund-raiser for the Fire Department.

"It's an important event for the department," said Foyer. "We're self-funded. The town makes a small contribution, but this is how we finance the department and its operations for the next year, including purchasing equipment, supplies and training."

"We're looking forward to another great year for everyone," he said. "It never gets old or boring. Every year brings new excitement."