The Brewster Fire Department hosted over a dozen neighboring fire departments on Thursday July 26, 2018 as they celebrated their 148th anniversary with their annual dress parade on Main Street. The evening began on Main Street near Prospect Street where the visiting departments had mustered in their best uniforms, equipment, and apparatus. They stepped onto Main Street shortly after 7 pm to the cheers of the crowds who had gathered to show their appreciation for all these heroes do every day. A viewing stand was erected by the old Cameo theater where Judges and local officials watched the festivities unfold. The parade continued up Main Street onto North Main Street past the cheering crowds that lined North Main Street up past the Main Firehouse where it terminated at Markel Park. The Grand Marshall for the parade was BFD Lt. Jeffrey Bergstrom. Food and refreshments were provided for the entire community at Markel Park by the Brewster Fire Department as all anxiously awaited word of the Westchester Parade Judges Association Committee decision regarding what departments had won trophies. The crowd was entertained by DJ Erik Siuda, a Brewster resident and a local business owner who has been an ardent supporter of the fire department for years and a top 3 finalist on Season 5 of Inkmasters.
Just before 10 pm, Brewster Fire Commissioner Ken Clair took the stage to announce the winners during the award presentation portion of the evening’s festivities. After numerous awards were presented to local FD’s such as New Fairfield and Mahopac Falls in various categories The Mahopac Fire Department was named best overall department, while the Carmel FD and Carmel VAC took home 5 trophies between them. (see below for a full list of categories and the winners)
At the conclusion of the awards ceremony Commissioner Clair thanked all the Departments that participated along with the award sponsors and the community for their support and appreciation.
2018 Brewster Fire Department Trophy Winners:
Best Drum Majorettes. St. Peters
Best Drum Major. The Regulators
Best Junior Corps. The Young Colonials
Best Ancient Musical The Regulators
Best Senior Musicals Tappan Zee Bridge Majors
Best Ladies Auxiliary Carmel FD
Best antique truck Mahopac Falls
Best pumper New Fairfield FD
Best pumper over 10 years old Croton Falls FD
Best Rescue Truck Putnam Valley FD
Best Aerial Truck Carmel FD
Best ambulance Carmel VAC
Best Brush Truck Kent FD
Best Chiefs Car Croton Falls FD
Longest distance to attend Lynbrook (LI) Vulcans
Best Explorer Unit Phoenix Hose Company
Best Ambulance Corps Carmel VAC
Best non-firematic Color Guard Putnam County Sheriff's Office
Best Firematic Color Guard Putnam Valley FD
Second best non-regulation uniform Putnam Valley FD
Second best regulation uniform Kent FD
Best non-regulation uniform Pawling FD
Best regulation uniform Carmel FD
2nd best from out of state Stony Hill FD (Ct.)
Best out of state Mill Plain Hose Company of Danbury FD
Second Best Overall Mahopac Falls
Best Overall Mahopac Fire Department