Published: July 26, 2009 10:53 pm      

Ashville plays host to Cambria County firefighters

ASHVILLE — Ashville Volunteer Fire Company will be host for the 88th annual Volunteer Firemen’s Association of Cambria County & Vicinity Convention Wednesday through Saturday.

The organization includes

55 volunteer fire companies in Cambria County as well as several each from Indiana, Blair and Somerset counties, said Steve Unger secretary of the Conemaugh Volunteer Fire Company.

Most activities will take place at the Ashville fire hall or the adjacent baseball field, said Rick Zupon, Ashville fire chief.

The fire hall is at 127 Pine St.

“We’ve been planning for the convention for approximately two years,” said Zupon, who has been Ashville fire chief for 15 years.

Zupon will become the organization’s president during a business session Thursday. He has been serving as first vice president.

It is the organization’s policy that the first vice president each year moves up to the presidency the next.

Tom Reighard Jr. of the Conemaugh Volunteer company will become the organization’s first vice president on Thursday.

The outgoing president is Steven G. Verbosky of the Colver Volunteer Fire Company.

This year’s convention has a myriad of activities for both firefighters and visitors.

There will be food and games, along with entertainment each night on the tent stage.

The firefighters enjoy the games, various contests and other convention activities, Zupon said.

But for both firefighters and the general public, he said the main things are to be together and have good times.

The convention’s Grand Firefighter’s Parade will be held Saturday, beginning at

5 p.m. Trophies will be awarded in a number of categories. Judging will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. that day at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

The parade is a highlight of each convention, Zupon said. It is a large parade with usually up to 80 emergency vehicles and marching units. Numerous high school bands have been invited.





Convention activities



Here are some of the many activities and events scheduled as part of the 88th Volunteer Firemen’s Association of Cambria County & Vicinity Convention Wednesday through Saturday in Ashville:

Wednesday - 3 Point Shoot at Ashville basketball court, 4:30 p.m.; past presidents banquet at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 6 p.m.; firefighter challenge at Ashville fire hall, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday - Battle of the barrel at fire hall, 6:30 p.m.

Friday - Memorial service at St. Thomas Church, 10 a.m.; men’s morning business session at fire company social hall, 11 a.m.; women’s morning business session at Ashville Veterans of Foreign Wars, 11 a.m.; afternoon business session for both men and women at fire company social hall,

1 p.m.; horseshoes at Ashville Borough Park, 4:30 p.m.; delegates banquet at fire company social hall, 5 p.m.; bucket brigade at fire hall, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday - Pumping contest at fire hall, 10 a.m.; parade judging at

St. Thomas Church, 1 to 4 p.m.; parade begins at routes 53 and 36,

5 p.m. followed by presentation of trophies at tent stage one hour after conclusion of parade.



Tent stage entertainment



Here’s a list of entertainment planned from 8 to 11 each night at the tent stage as part of the 88th Volunteer Firemen’s Association of Cambria County & Vicinity Convention Wednesday through Saturday in Ashville:



Wednesday - D.J. Dynamite.

Thursday - Rock & Roll with Felix and the Hurricanes.

Friday - Irish Night with Michael O’Brian Band.

Saturday - Polka Night with Mario Crocetti Trio.