Story updated July 9, 7:25 p.m.
The annual New Concord Fireman’s Festival will take place on a smaller scale this year because of the coronavirus pandemic that is resurging throughout much of the United States.
New Concord Fire Chief Brent Gates
Brent Gates, the New Concord Fire Department Chief, highlighted that this year’s event will not be the same as in previous years. This year’s festival is Friday, July 10.
“It’s not really a true firemen’s festival,” said Gates. In addition to fireworks and a live performance, the John Glenn High School Track team will be selling drinks, Creative Farm Kids 4-H Club will be selling popcorn and snow cones, and Boy Scouts will be selling homemade ice cream.
Cambridge native Adam Calvert performs at the New Concord Fireman’s Festival Friday, July 10.
Assistant Fire Chief Troy Cole confirmed July 4 that Cambridge native singer/songwriter Adam Calvert will be performing Friday night at 8 p.m.
Calvert has opened for artists including Parmalee, Canaan Smith, Phil Vassar, Martina McBride, Marty Haggard, James Otto, B.J. Thomas, and Marty Stuart.
Calvert moved to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at 12 years old where he made his start as an entertainer. He plays several instruments including the guitar, piano, and the violin.
“Everybody will be told to practice their social distancing [for the performance]. We’re not going to set up anything at the playground,” said Gates.
Gates isn’t as concerned about people adhering to social distancing requirements during the fireworks show beginning at 10 p.m.
“Most of the people who watch the fireworks usually just watch from their cars, parking lots, and things like that. So, social distancing is not an issue,” said Gates.
In recent years, the New Concord Fireman’s Festival was a two-day event, but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the NCFD to put limitations on the festival.
The money raised from the festival goes towards maintaining and buying new equipment for the fire department.
“We’d have a festival basically Friday night and Saturday through the afternoon just to raise extra money. We have a firemen’s association, and [the festival] would raise money to buy an extra piece of equipment every year for the fire department,” said Gates.
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- Fireworks from the 2017 Fireman’s Festival. Over $7,000 was raised to put on the show. Photo: Marty Kurtz
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- Fireworks from the 2017 New Concord Fireman’s Festival. Over $7,000 was raised to put them on. Photo: Marty Kurtz
The NCFD is focused on this year’s festival, and Gates doesn’t know if the guidelines implemented this year will be considered in future years.
“We take it one day at a time…we worry about the present,” said Gates.
The New Concord Fireman’s Festival started in the late 1950s. The event used to span over three or four days, and it played a significant role in funding the fire department. However, as times have evolved, the festival has changed and adapted.
For more information and updates on the 2020 New Concord Fireman’s Festival, visit the Village of New Concord’s website and the festival Facebook event page.
