West Pawlet FD annual carnival and parade

By Jaime Thomas

What better way to celebrate the height of summer than with a carnival and parade.

Bringing in the month of August will be the West Pawlet Fire Department’s annual carnival and parade on Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3.

The carnival, which starts at about 6:30 p.m. both nights, will be held at the fire department grounds and will include the usual favorite games, entertainment and food.

Morgan Hosley, chairperson for the event, said many locals usually turn out for the happening, which benefits the fire department.

“It’s a community get together—you come down and everyone’s there and you can talk and catch up,” Hosley said.

The two-day event will include a bounce house for the little ones, a hoop toss, a dime plate toss, a dart booth, gambling games, a dunking booth and other amusements for all ages.

On Saturday, Aug. 3 at noon, the department’s famous chicken barbecue will be served, first-come first- served. The cost is $12 per meal, which includes half a chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, beans, corn and a roll.

Each night, the fire department will also sell hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, onion rings and French fries, and the Lewis Maple Syrup House will be on hand with cotton candy, milkshakes and ice cream.

The annual parade, which starts at St. Francis Cabrini Church on Route 153 and continues down through town, is sponsored by the department and will be held on Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. Assembly is at 5.

Hosley said along with a number of fire trucks from area departments, the Rupert Mettowee Valley 4-H Club and the Rupert and West Pawlet grange will march in the parade.

As far as music, a DJ will provide the entertainment Friday night, and Young Country will play Saturday evening.

Anyone who would like to be in the parade is asked to contact Hosley at 802-645-0158.