rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
CANTON — The Canton Fire Department will host the 18th annual Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, Oct. 2, and Sunday, Oct. 3.
At the event will be distinctive craft vendors, festival food and live daily entertainment.
Jodie Bardo is the treasurer and the fundraising organizer for the event as well as others that the fire department hosts.
“The festival was originally called the Fall Fling Festival which was started by a woman named Sue Baker who wanted to give back to the community,” said Bardo. “Her health was starting to fail and she wanted to keep the festival going with the purpose of giving back to community. The fire department took the festival over and in time changed the name to The Pumpkin Festival.”
Admission for the event is a donation at the gate that goes into the community through various outreach programs.
Among those include Chalk Days for the Rialto Theatre, smoke alarm drives for the community, Free Swim Day at the pool along with season passes for some families, camps for Boy Scouts and so much more.
“We work with the school district too,” said Bardo. “We have given generous donations to Operation Christmas Child through the school, donated towards The Good Chief Program, the annual Easter egg hunt (which includes free lunch and a gift), breakfast with Santa (which includes a free gift), Little League and bags for Fresh Express,” said Bardo, who noted there is a lot more.
The event, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, will take place at the Fireman’s Fairgrounds at Route 14 South Springbrook Road, Canton.
The annual event is a tradition for the fire department to be able to interact with the community.
For more information on the event go to www.facebook.com/events/140076271526573 or to follow events hosted by the Innes Hose Co. (Canton Fire Department cantonfire.org.
Every Wednesday evening, the department also hosts Bingo. Doors Open At 5:30 p.m. Play starts at 6:30.
Innes Hose Company’s mission is protect life & property from loss, suffering and damage due to fire, environmental hazards,or motor vehicle accidents within the communities that we are contracted to protect or mutual aid.