Columbia Volunteer Fire Company holds annual fireman’s parade

CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Across America families, friends, and communities celebrated the Fourth of July, including the Columbia Volunteer Fire Company.

For the last 102 years, the Columbia Fire Company has hosted its annual fireman’s parade on the Fourth of July. The town fills with past and present residents as this is one of the biggest events that happens in Osceola Mills.

“People, generations of families have spent their lives here attending this parade, celebrating The Fourth of July and celebrating the first responders,” Lieutenant Dan Briscoe of the Columbia Fire Company said.

Through the parade route, there was hardly any room to park or sit displaying how big the event was for the small town. An event that Briscoe says has gotten bigger over the years. But with everyone filling the streets it shows how supportive the entire community is for the fire department and more.

“A lot of support, we work hard all year long and it’s a thankless job, but it’s days like this that we see everybody cheering us on and having a blast and everyone celebrating the holiday and it’s really nice,” Briscoe said.

Many of the community members would agree with Briscoe. Many come into town from outside of the area just for the parade.

“It is so nice that the community comes together and celebrates all together and of course, family and friends, it’s wonderful,” Brisbin resident Kathy Litzinger said.

The parade featured several fire apparatus, bands, floats, and more. One group in the parade was Asylum Pro Wrestling out of Clearfield.

“Asylum pro wrestling in style and gear in character. We’re about to have some fun, make people smile, do what we do,” Erik Shea of Asylum Pro Wrestling said.

While many of the parade participants threw candy out the window some floats had more meaning. One float was the Freedom House which hoped driving through the parade would help at least one person speak up for help.

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“So we just we know they’re there, struggling people that are going to see this float today that will now know they have a place to go to share be healed and helped and grow and recover,” John Thomas, Pastor & Director of Life Recovery said.

The Columbia Volunteer Fire Company Fireman’s Fair will continue through Saturday.

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