Beautiful weekend for the Amenia Firemen's Carnival

AMENIA — The sound of candy hitting the pavement, followed by the pitter-patter of small feet. The smell of fried dough sizzling in oil, or the dust-cloud of confectioners sugar to top it. The sight of firemen dressed in their finest and cameras flashing from the sidewalks.

 All marked the 84th Amenia Firemen’s Carnival, held June 30 to Saturday, July 3.

Along with the carnival, which was held in the fire company’s parking lot on Mechanic Street, there was the parade on Friday night, which lined up on Broadway and marched north on Route 22 before turning onto Route 343 to head down East Main Street toward the firehouse.

 Twenty-four fire companies participated in what is one of the biggest parades in the area, Amenia Fire Chief Shawn Howard said.

The fire departments were augmented in the parade by a whole slew of antique cars (some carrying the town’s municipal leaders), baseball groups, Boy Scouts, marching bands and many more.

 As for the aforementioned candy, it lined the pockets (and mouths) of many children when all was said and done.

“The parade was really fun,� said 10-year-old Lily Donegan. “Especially with all the candy.�

Lily looked at her friend, ten-year-old Chloie Chinn and laughed.

 â€œI ate a lot already,â€� Chloie admitted.

And after the hour-long parade had concluded, there was still the carnival to enjoy. Country music band Shadow Creek provided a lively soundtrack for the evening as parade-watchers filed into the parking lot, heading for the rides, looking to try their luck at a carnival game, or simply to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the weekend.

 Saturday night concluded this year’s event with a fireworks display while the carnival began to wind down.

“Nothing beats the Amenia carnival,� said Alanna Mulligan of Salisbury.

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