The Great Hill Hose Co. in the early 1970s. Photo courtesy of volunteer firefighter Donald Cann.
SEYMOUR — The Great Hill Hose Fire Co. will mark its 75th anniversary this year, and volunteer firefighters are planning a town-wide block party and formal banquet to celebrate the milestone this fall.
The block party will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at the firehouse, located at 140 Botsford Rd. Former Fire Marshal Paul Wetowtiz, who has been a volunteer, and past captain, with the department for 43 years, is co-chairing the anniversary planning committee.
Wetowitz has put the call out for food truck vendors to join the celebration.
Wetowitz said the block party, in part, will feature live music, an historical retrospective, fire truck demonstrations, tours of the firehouse, food and beverage trucks, kids’ activities and more. He’s hoping to have about 10 food trucks on hand to feed the hungry crowd.
Food truck vendors interested in attending the event are asked to contact Wetowtiz as soon as possible at 203 – 868-8429 or by email [email protected].
A formal banquet is also being planned for Oct. 22. Wetowitz said details about both events will be shared with the community over the coming months.
“It’s going to a great event and a chance for us to show the public who we are, what we do and why we do it,” Wetowitz said.
Wetowitz said Great Hill Hose Co. was established by a group of local farmers in October of 1947, as there was no fire department in the Great Hill area, or west side, of town. The town’s founding fire company, Citizens Engine Co. No. 2, was formed in 1884, located downtown on Deforest Street, and covered the entire town. Charter members who originally founded Great Hill Hose Co. felt a second fire house was needed because the Great Hill area was too far and too long a response time from downtown. Wetowtiz said there are about 40 active volunteers currently serving Great Hill.
“And 75 years later, we’re still here,” Wetowitz said.
The day of the block party, Wetowtiz said shuttle buses will transport party-goers from parking lots at both Seymour Middle and Seymour High schools to the festivities.
More details about the formal banquet will also be forth coming, but it is scheduled for Oct. 22, and will be open to the public. Tickets will be available beginning Oct. 1.
