With the New Year only months away, the Canastota Volunteer Fire Department will celebrate 150 years of dedicated service tot eh residents of the village of Canastota and the town of Lenox.
From its humble beginnings 150 years ago, and its current state of the art station and equipment, the crew is second to none in New York State and has received the highest fire protection rating a volunteer fire department can receive, according to Bruce K. Chandler, first assistant fire chief.
The fire department will begin its celebration of 150 years in fire protection service Jan. 9, 2010 with the Fireman’s Ball at the Rusty Rail in Canastota. The ball will feature the band, “Matt Chase and Thunder Canyon,” for adults and a modern disk jockey will perform for the teens that attend. There will be food and activities for everyone. A fireworks display will begin at 8 p.m. Adult entry fee is $15 and $5 for teens.
The celebration won’t end there. The department will hold its annual fish fry each Friday during the Lent season at the fire station.
The final day of the celebration will be held in conjunction with the village’s 200th celebration in July. The fire department will host a pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. July 24.
During the day there will be a fire truck display and competition on the bank of the Erie Canal. Firefighting equipment will also be on display, an apparatus and a smoke house learning center for the children with kitchen fire safety tips.
There will be a food booth and a booth that will provide smoke detectors for the home if they do nt already own one.
The grand parade will begin at 1 p.m. and will run through the village with bands, floats and fire departments.
All the members of the Canastota Volunteer Fire Department welcome the community join the celebration beginning in January.
Forbes Hose Company No. 1:
First Assistant Fire Chief Bruce K. Chandler, Capt. Douglas F. Chandler, Lt. Ted Lewin, Marcus LaBarbera, Anthony Stagnitti, Ronald Marchetti, Richard Stagnitti, Chris Hannan, Steve Perry, Dario Damore, Lyle Chafee, Jeff White, Nelson Halladay, Shannon Lints, Lori Gardner, Dennis Delaney, Greg DiGaspari, James Sullivan, Ronald Tallman Jr., Matt Freund, Joe Sullivan, Stephanie Edwards, Joe Damiano, Mike Barker, Robert Dimick, Jesse Polisse, Joe Mittlestaedt, Gene Johnson.
Delano Hose Company No. 2:
Fire Chief Mark Ferriter, Jay Cowan, Nino Tornatore, Ted Lumbrazo, Kyle DeBrucque, Tim Cowan, Tim Smith, Al Carmon, James Reed, Ken Carver, Mark Polisse, Greg Hanley, Stephanie Slawoniewski, Bryan Brownell, Joe Mather, Frank McFall.
Patton Hook and Ladder Company No. 3:
Assistant Fire Chief Antonio Tornatore, Capt. John Palamara, Fred Meyers, John Massarotti, Fran Pratt, Larry Pickard, Tim Mitchell, Anthony Palamara, Mark Pickard, Jeff Huss, Dick King, Steve Tassone, David Hamilton, Mike Skellington, Tom Fox, Darrin Pederson, Shaun Benishek, Joe Foley, Robert Robertson.
