FASNY Museum of Firefighting: Muster Planning in Full Swing at the Museum!

By Jamie Smith Quinn, Executive Director of the FASNY Museum of Firefighting

The FASNY Museum of Firefighting’s staff and Muster Committee have been busy planning the muster, which will coincide with the 125th Anniversary Celebration of the FASNY Firemen’s Home. This event will occur on May 20. The muster team has also been collaborating with the City of Hudson’s Fire Department, which will handle the logistics for the Hudson Fire Department Inspection Day/Anniversary/Muster parade. Everything will culminate that same day on the Muster grounds at the Home.

The parade will be comprised of local fire departments, guest (invited) fire departments and muster participants. Muster participants will be showcasing their vintage fire trucks, which will certainly keep with the spirit of celebrating firefighting heritage and tradition, and, of course, the 125th Anniversary of the Home.

If you are an antique fire apparatus aficionado and wish to join us with your fire truck for the muster and/or parade, you can request an application by using the “contact us” form on the Museum’s website: www.fasnyfiremuseum.com. You can also email us directly at ashley@fasnyfiremuseum.com or call us at (518) 822-1875, extension 10. Space is limited, so please contact us today to ensure you can participate.

As mentioned, the parade will end on the grounds of the FASNY Firemen’s Home after a trek through the City of Hudson. Hand-drawn apparatus will already be on the grounds, waiting for the combustion engine apparatus to join the muster day activities. There will be a ceremony commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the FASNY Firemen’s Home, and many local and New York State dignitaries are expected to attend this ceremony and the event.

The Norwood Fire Department Band passes the reviewing stand during the Home Centennial Celebration. We are sure many such units will attend the 125th Anniversary Celebration too.

The muster itself will consist of many activities. The fire engines will, of course, compete for various trophies, as a panel of judges evaluates their many attributes during the muster. But, we are also planning demonstrations, such as one by the Owego Hose Team.

The Owego Hose Teams Inc. has been competing in firematic hose racing since 1951. This year marked their 65th anniversary season. The teams have won a total of 23 Central New York firematic hose racing titles and are known throughout New York State for their racing prowess.

The races are timed events that test the firefighters’ skills. Teams of five members must, for example, connect nozzles to hoses, hoses to hoses, and hoses to the fire hydrant as well as knock down targets as quickly as possible. Hose races improve basic firefighting skills and these competitions also build camaraderie among participants. We look forward to watching the Owego Hose Team demonstrating their well-honed racing skills during the muster.

We will also have (weather permitting) a gold leaf demonstration by Frank Smith. Frank Smith is a self-taught artist with over 30 years of experience. He is a master gold leaf artist and his work can be seen in many venues, including the New York State Senate. Frank follows in the tradition of many of the great gold leaf artists of the past, being proficient in not only gold leaf artistry, but also in sign making of all types. We are also planning some crafts for the youngsters who attend, such as a gold leaf craft, which will complement the demonstration.

Complementary games that will test muster visitors’ knowledge concerning firefighting and fire engines will be ongoing during the muster, and they will certainly be fun for all ages. We already have several vendors signed up to sell firematic items, and we will be offering special muster/anniversary items for sale as well in the Museum gift shop. And there will be plenty of great food and beverages for sale all through the day.

If you are planning to attend this event, here are a few things to take note of. While we want to accommodate everyone and their needs, there will be no tobacco, alcohol or pets (except service animals) allowed on the grounds. There is camping available on the grounds, but it is limited, and applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis.

If you would like an application, visit the Museum’s website and under the “Events and Programs” tab, pick “Muster” on the drop-down menu. The camping application link is on the bottom of the page.

Also on the bottom of the page is a link to information on other accommodations. Local hotels are booking fast due to the response to this event. We encourage you to make your reservations now if you plan on coming to this event and staying overnight. And we hope you will! With a parade the likes this city has not seen in 25 years, a huge muster and amazing activities and demonstrations, this celebration is shaping up to be the firematic event of the season, so don’t miss it! If you have questions or would like updates on event activities, visit www.fasnyfiremuseum.com or call us at (518) 822-1875, extension 10.

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