The Cobleskill Fire Department's birthday party will be one to remember.
With a parade and day-long activities at the Fairgrounds, the celebration this Saturday marks the Department's 150th anniversary of serving the Cobleskill area.
"It's going to be a complete day," said the department's Brian Head, one of the organizers.
And a different day, too. The parade starts at 10am, but instead of marching the usual route from Price Chopper to the Fairgrounds, the parade will begin at SUNY Cobleskill.
One reason is room, another is history. The parade is expected to be so large, the lineup wouldn't fit in the Price Chopper parking lot, Mr. Head said.
Also, the new route has the parade passing the old firehouse--now Twisted Ink Tattoos--on West Main Street.
"Our history was there at the old firehouse at Centre Park," Mr. Head said. "We want to march past it."
He expects fire departments from around the state, along with floats and other entries, to be in the parade.
"Anyone who would like to join, we're still open," Mr. Head said. "Just be down at the college by 9."
Opening ceremonies will be in front of Progressland at the Fairgrounds when the parade arrives there.
Congressman Chris Gibson, Senator Jim Seward and Assemblyman Pete Lopez are expected to speak.
There will be a car show, an exhibit of antique firefighting equipment, children's activities and more all day at the Fairgrounds.
Seven or eight teams from different departments will compete in firematics, "our Olympics of drills," Mr. Head said.
There will also be displays of antique equipment and artifacts from the Cobleskill department.
"And anyone who has any historic artifact can bring it down," Mr. Head said.
A merchandise booth will sell commemorative shirts and glasses.
Two bands will play: Chicken Herders at 5pm and Skeeter Creek at 9:30pm.
In between, fireworks will touch off at 9.