Walkersville VFC celebrates annual carnival

(6/20) The Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company has been preparing since February to put on their annual fundraiser, an in-town carnival that is a long-standing tradition for the community of Walkersville. Vaughn Zimmerman, Carnival Chairman and member of the volunteer fire company, explained that there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to make the carnival happen. The carnival has developed and grown over the years, as the first carnival was held in 1940, when the goal of the fundraiser, which "netted a profit of $617.74," was to help the fire company to purchase its first motorized fire engine "after using only a hose reel since 1927." Because of its success and popularity, the carnival became a tradition for the town of Walkersville, and has helped support the Fire Department ever since. It is actually also beneficial for the residents of town who attend, because "the funds generated from the carnival are used to purchase firefighting apparatus and equipment that result in, for taxpayers of Frederick County, huge savings on their tax bills."

The goal of the carnival is to "raise as much money as possible to purchase fire engines for our company and community," Vaughn explained. "Nowadays, it takes approximately seven years of carnivals to buy one fire engine." The volunteers’ willingness to achieve these goals, even if just one fire engine takes seven years to pay for, shows their patience and dedication to the fire department and local community. This is seen especially in how much effort goes into planning the carnival.

The volunteers strive to create an atmosphere that is family friendly, memorable, and even better than the years before. Vaughn explained that "to put on a successful carnival, approximately 120 volunteer fire company members and community members are needed each night" of the carnival week. There are many volunteers who come together in February to begin the planning process. By March and April, "the entertainment [has been selected], and the fireworks process [has] begun." Fireworks became a part of the carnival in in 1948, where the carnival was originally held on the Walkersville high school grounds. In 1966, the carnival’s location was moved, with the new property being purchased from a farmer. The firemen of that year came together and built the food building for the carnival grounds.

By May, "the food, drink and supplies that will be needed are figured out, and the many vendors are contacted and deliveries scheduled. In June, the advertising starts, and [by] the last week in June, the tents arrive and the grounds setup begins." In addition to contacting and securing rides and on-stage entertainment, there are a lot of little details that have to be covered in order for it to all come together. The volunteers have to cover bases considering the permits that are needed from the Health Department and for the fireworks, as well as the planning for "various games, outside vendors, security and parking, trash removal, renting tents, grounds setup, advertising, and the setting up and tearing down of the carnival." Once all of these angles have been considered and taken care of, the week of the carnival begins. Be sure to come out, enjoy the carnival, and support the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company!