This summer, the Essex Fire Engine Co. No. 1 will celebrate its 175th anniversary. As part of this momentous occasion, area fire departments will gather on Sunday, June 1, for the 2nd Annual Old Saybrook Firefighters Competition and Family Fun Day. As part of the celebration, this year's event is being held behind the Essex Fire Headquarters.
The daylong event, which is free and open to the public, has been designed to test firefighters skill levels through drilling, training and competition. The competition will start at 9:30 a.m. with a Color Guard Competition and continue throughout the day, putting firefighters through various challenges that include a fire-suppression obstacle course and various fire hose and fire stream testing events.
The pressure is on for a couple of area volunteer departments, since Essex would love to win the championship trophy during its 175th anniversary year. The defending champions, Old Saybrook Fire Department, also has its hopes set on adding its name again to the perpetual trophy. A couple of other local departments are practicing hard to ensure that neither are successful and are also vying for the coveted prize, according to the competition's organizers.
The event will feature grand-stand seating or those attending can bring their own seating. This year's competition will be held at Essex Fire Headquarters, 11 Saybrook Road, Essex, CT (take Exit 3 off Route 9). In the event of rain, the event will be held on Sunday, June 8.
In addition, a formal celebration and parade will be held in Essex on Sunday June 22nd. For additional info, click here.
