FARMINGTON — Farmington Fire and Rescue will host the 51st Maine State Federation of Firefighters Convention this weekend, Sept. 5-7.

It’s the third time for the local department to play host to firefighters from around the state, fire Chief Terry Bell said. 

“We want them to come to Farmington and have a good time,” he said.

The department was awarded the honor of hosting a couple years ago.

“We’ve had a good response with over 300 registrations so far,” Bell said.

There’s a little business and an awards banquet that’s open only to firefighters, but the community is welcome to enjoy other events. Most events will take place at Farmington Fairgrounds, where many firefighters will camp out for the weekend. Others will be staying at local motels.

On Friday night, comedian Juston McKinney will perform in the Starbird Building on the fairgrounds, Bell said. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and McKinney will perform from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is $10 per person, he said.

McKinney grew up in Maine and became a sheriff’s deputy before leaving for New York, according to his website. He has appeared on several Comedy Central specials and numerous times on “The Tonight Show,” and has other film accomplishments. He now lives in New Hampshire.

Firetrucks, all shined and buffed, along with some local entries will parade through the streets of Farmington on Saturday. Color guards and new and old firetrucks will participate.

The parade lineup begins at 7 a.m. at the fairgrounds and the parade begins at 9:30 a.m., Bell said. The procession will go down Maple Avenue and turn right onto Prescott Street, proceeding up Abbott Hill to Main Street. From there, it will turn right onto Broadway, followed by a right onto High Street to continue back to the fairgrounds.

Some firetrucks, including an antique one, will be on display at the fairgrounds after the parade.

The firefighters’ banquet takes place at the University of Maine at Farmington on Saturday at noon. Awards are given for firetrucks, color guards and departments who travel the farthest, Bell said.

An annual meeting of the Maine State Federation of Firefighters takes place in the afternoon. Each department is allowed to send a delegate and alternate to the closed meeting. 

The federation can vote and make decisions that affect all departments, he said. It also raises funds for families of any deceased firefighter, along with extra funds for those killed at the scene of a fire, Bell said.

A dance is planned for Saturday night. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the dance at the Starbird Building is planned from 8:30 p.m. till after midnight, he said. Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased at the door or at the fire station prior to the event, he said.

A state firefighters’ muster begins at 9 a.m. Sunday at the fairgrounds. Teams from across the state will compete, and the public is welcome to attend at no charge, Bell said.

Farmington’s trucks are being shined with help from Kevin Frost of Frost Detailing in preparation for the weekend. They include the antique 1931 Maxim driven by Douglas Oliver.  It’s the same truck his father, Richard Oliver, and his uncle, Robert “Apple” Oliver, drove, he said.

Mostly used for parades and festivals, the truck is intact except for a new engine. The original engine failed within the first year, he said. 

It’s been repainted and the gold leaf has been restored, he said. All of the chrome, including headlights and the bell, were taken to Canada for restoration. 

For more information visit the convention’s Facebook page.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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