by Larry Chowning –
The weather was divine Friday night as 53 units of fire and rescue equipment were part of the 65th Urbanna Oyster Festival Fireman’s parade.
Parade Chairman Ben Burch said that the parade was one of the best and well-attended that he could recall. “The weather was perfect and people came from all over to see the parade,” said Burch.
This year Carrsville Volunteer Fire Department won the greatest distance award as Carrsville is 86 miles from Urbanna; Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department won the Best Fire Department overall award and the judges award went to White Stone Volunteer Fire Department.
The 2022 category winners for the Fireman’s Parade are:
- 1,500 gpm and over category — first, Abingdon Fire Department engine no. 21; second, Upper Lancaster engine no. 1; and third, Callao Wagon no. 64.
- 1,250 gpm category — first, Central King & Queen Rescue vehicle no. 3; second, Upper Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department (Water View) engine no. 62; and third, Walkerton Volunteer Fire Department engine no. 7.
- 1,000 gpm category — first, Abingdon Fire Department engine no. 22; second; Hartfield Volunteer Fire Department engine no. 53; and third, Disputanta engine no. 2.
- Tanker category — first, Kilmarnock Volunteer Fire Department tanker no. 15; second, Abingdon Fire Department tanker no. 3; and third, Lower Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department (Deltaville) tanker no. 44.
- Brush Truck category — first, Carrsville Volunteer Fire Department brush truck no. 20; and second, Abington Fire Department brush truck no. 21.
- Rescue truck category — first, Carson Rescue no. 3; and second, Cople District Rescue no. 3.
- Antique category — first, Surry Volunteer Fire Department, 1950 engine; and Tappahannock Volunteer Fire Department, 1953 engine.
- Private-owned antique category — first, George Hood, engine no. 2; and Joe Reid, engine no. 1 (Williams VFC).
- Ladder truck category — first, Lower Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department (Deltaville); second, Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department truck no. 2; and third, Gloucester Tower 1.
- Specialty Unit category — first, Fairfield Rescue Squad, no. 54; and second, Carrsville Volunteer Fire Department.
- Rescue Squad category — first, Life Care no. 14-1; second, Gloucester Rescue Squad no. 3; and third, Middlesex Volunteer Rescue Squad unit 38.
