The three-day event will be held Thursday, April 29, Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 in the town of Parksley. Also taking place will be the 76th convention of the Delmarva Ladies’ Auxiliary.
It is the 12th time Parksley has hosted the firemen’s convention — the most of any Delmarva town, said Wayne Marshall, a Parksley volunteer and the company’s fire convention committee publicity chair. It was held last year in Lewes, Del.
The popular event ends with a 2 p.m. parade on May 1 from Metompkin Elementary School on Bennett Street and turning on Dunne Avenue, ending at the fire hall. Almost 50 trophies will be presented to appearing companies in various categories. The public is invited to watch the parade procession.
The public also is invited to an April 30 memorial service for volunteer firefighters from all over Delmarva who have died in the past year. It will be held at 9 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church.
The event begins at 6 p.m. on April 29 with a reception at the Parksley fire hall featuring food and beverages. Friday the convention opens at 9 a.m. and meetings throughout the day feature a Past President’s Luncheon.
April 30 events begin with a 6 p.m. social hour and continue with a 7 p.m. banquet.
Association officers will be installed for 2010-11. In addition, inductions for the Firefighters’ Hall of Fame and Ladies Auxiliary Hall of Honor will be made.
Parksley volunteer firefighter Ricky Taylor is the outgoing association president — Parksley has had seven past presidents of the association. The association has 92 member companies in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware.
The company gets to host the convention during a special year — 2010 is the 75th anniversary of the Parksley Volunteer Fire Co.
