Event honors 9-11 victims
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — The upcoming Maine State Federation of Firefighters Convention slated for Sept. 10-12 will fittingly coincide with and commemorate the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001. A special memorial will take place on Saturday to mark the occasion.
“We’re planning a memorial at 2 p.m. on Sept. 11. We’ve been in contact with Governor Baldacci’s office and are hoping he’ll be able to attend. We have also invited Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and Congressman Mike Michaud. On behalf of the Maine Federation, the Ellsworth Fire Department will be bringing a replica of the Augusta memorial,” said organizer Grant Spinney, a firefighter with the Presque Isle Fire Department, which is hosting the 47th annual event.
Big Red — Largest monster fire truck.
Activities will take place at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds in Presque Isle throughout that weekend.
A number of activities have been scheduled specifically for firefighters attending the convention, including a banquet and breakfast. Various activities have also been scheduled for the general public to enjoy. The following is a list of events open to the public and the times they’ll take place:
Friday
• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. vendor registration/open at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds;
• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. G-Force Laser Tag and Jousting, partial proceeds to benefit Boy Scouts & Aroostook Jr. Firefighters;
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. antique judging at the fairgrounds;
• 7 p.m. Debbie Myers’ concern at the grandstand, Northern Maine Fairgrounds, tickets $10 each, with proceeds to benefit C.A.N.C.E.R;
Saturday
• 7-9:30 a.m. antique judging and parade lineup, University of Maine at Presque Isle, Route 1;
• 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. vendor registration/open at the fairgrounds;
• 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., parade through downtown, ending at the fairgrounds, with Big Red truck rides around fairgrounds following parade;
• 11:30 a.m. Meet and greet with Randolph Mantooth (Johnny Gage of TV’s “Emergency”) at the fairgrounds;
• 12:30-1 p.m. Bullex car fire demonstration behind the Exhibition Building at the fairgrounds;
• 1-1:30 p.m. Advantage Gas car cutting demonstration behind the Exhibition Building;
• 2-2:30 p.m. Sept. 11 Memorial in front of the Forum;
• 3-3:30 p.m. IPS Jaws demonstration behind the Exhibition Building;
• 8:30 p.m. Comedian Bob Marley will perform at the Forum, tickets are $15 each;
Sunday
• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. vendors open at the fairgrounds;
• 8:30-9 a.m. IPS Jaws demonstration behind the Exhibition Building;
• 8:30 a.m. Captains meeting, with Firemen’s Muster and awards to follow at the fairgrounds;
• After Muster, the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club will hold the Kiwanis Poop-A-Pallooza at the fairgrounds; and
• Events conclude with raffle drawings for a fire helmet and cake platter.
For more information contact 769-0881 or visit www.pifd.org.
