WAMC’s fund drive for Japan happens Monday

By DIANE VALDEN

STUYVESANT—The 99^th annual Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association Convention brings firefighters and the public together when festivities kick-off on the home grounds of this year’s host, Stuyvesant Fire Company #1, 194 County Route 26A, Friday evening, July 26 and continues Saturday, July 27.

An estimated 1,000 firefighters, their families, friends and fans will descend upon Stuyvesant, a town of 1,931 people in the northwest corner of Columbia County on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, for convention events.

The Columbia County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, Inc. (CCVFA) fosters and extends the interests, welfare and growth of firematic interests and good feelings in Columbia County, according to its constitution and bylaws.

The purpose of the convention is to conduct association business, but also for firefighters to socialize and get to know each other instead of meeting only on the scene of an emergency, Stuyvesant Fire Chief Steve Montie told The Columbia Paper this week.

The convention will be open to the public, except for the business meeting, Saturday morning, where treasurer and committee reports will be given and officers will be elected.

The chief sees welcoming everyone to the convention as beneficial to both firefighters and the public, “so they can see who we are, what we do and get involved. We have to change things and make firefighting more family-oriented.” Without the public, the volunteer firefighting service as it is today will be gone, he said.

Parking for the convention is at the Stuyvesant Town Park on County Route 26A (the parade may be viewed from the park or Town Hall). Shuttle buses will be on hand to provide transportation to and from the parking area during the course of all events.

The convention will be held at the Stuyvesant Firehouse grounds where the gates will open at 6 p.m. Friday evening with food vendors including, Lakota BBQ, Hungry Traveler, Church St Catering, HappieBean Coffee, and Stewarts Ice Cream.

Between 7:30 and 9 p.m. Friday, there will be a memorial service for firefighters/auxiliary members who have died in the past year and a CCVA awards ceremony. This includes the presentation of longevity awards to members with 50+ years of service, the CCVFA Lifetime Achievement Award, and CCVFA Firefighter of the Year Award.

Skeeter Creek, “New York’s #1 Modern Country Band,” begins its concert at 9 p.m. This is a free concert and is open to anyone who wants to attend. Security will be onsite to check the IDs of those purchasing alcoholic beverages to make sure they are over 21.

On Saturday, nearly 50 units are lined up for the 2024 Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association (CCVFA) Parade, another of the highlights of this year’s 99th annual Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association Convention.

The parade line-up includes: 10 musical groups from fife and drummers to bagpipers and marching bands; 34 fire departments from Columbia, Rensselaer, Greene and Dutchess counties, with the convention hosts positioned near the lead and the Lebanon Valley Protective Association bringing up the rear. The Sheriff’s Office Color Guard heads up the procession followed by Grand Marshals David Montie, a past Stuyvesant chief, 62-year-member and the father of current Chief Steve Montie; 62-year-member Dale Berlin and past Association President Brad Webster.

Hathaways Helping Hand, a non-profit organization that helps Columbia County volunteer first responders, is also in the line-up.

The parade assembles at 1 p.m. and steps-off at 2 p.m. beginning in the area of 1209 Route 9J and proceeds south on 9J to Route 26A. The parade will then go up Route 26A and conclude at the firehouse. All fire apparatus must enter the parade line-up by coming in on Route 26A off of Route 9H.

Following the parade, which lasts about 45 minutes, the Joe Adee and the Lug Nuts Band, who play “Americana, R&B, Good Country, Southern Rock and Low Down Dirty Blues with a dangerous edge,” will start rocking at 3 p.m. followed by the awarding of parade trophies.

Preparation for this convention has been in the works for a couple of years, Chief Montie, Stuyvesant Fire Chief for the past 25 years, said. With the biggest hurdle being raising enough money to make it happen. Revenues come from ads sold in the convention yearbook and poker tournament fundraisers put on monthly by the fire company.

“My members really stepped up to the plate,” said the chief of his volunteers, calling them “an incredible group.” Based on the events in store at this year’s convention, the chief said he’s sure, “We’ve knocked it out of the park.”

According to the history of Stuyvesant Fire Company #1, the company was officially organized July 18, 1950.

The last paragraph of the document says, “Although the history recorded here is noteworthy, the real history of our company is in the countless fire calls and emergencies answered since” the beginning.

“Many of the names and faces have changed in our company, but our commitment to excellence and community service shall always remain the same.”

Next year the Columbia County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association 100th Anniversary Convention will be hosted by Mellenville Volunteer Fire Company #1 Inc.

To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com