The 30th annual Jeffco Fire Engine Rally will offer attendees a day full of fun activities this weekend, all for free, said Chris Baker, treasurer of the Jefferson County Firefighters Association.
The event will kick off with a parade of firetrucks and other emergency vehicles starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at St. Pius X High School, 1030 St. Pius Drive, in Crystal City. The parade will proceed north on Hwy. 61-67, ending at the William C. Haggard Park, 776 Joachim Ave., in Herculaneum, where the rest of the activities will be held.
The parade’s co-grand marshals will be Rose O’Shaughnessy and Robin Shrage.
Baker, who also serves as a Ward 2 Alderman, said O’Shaughnessy and Shrage were chosen because they have volunteered to help with the rally every year since the event’s inception and have helped to make it a success.
Between 50 and 80 vehicles typically participate in the parade each year, he said.
Once the parade reaches the park at about 10 a.m., the rally will have opening ceremonies and honor people associated with local firefighting agencies who have died since the last rally was held. Among those to be honored this year is Bill Haggard, who was president of the Jefferson County Firefighters Association and chairman of the rally organization committee.
Baker said awards will also be given for Firefighter of the Year, Fire Chief Officer of the Year, EMS Department of the Year, EMS Chief Officer of the Year and Paramedic of the Year.
Following opening ceremonies an air rescue helicopter from ARCH Air Medical is scheduled to arrive at 10:45 a.m., followed by a variety of activities, including a Dalmatian show at 11 a.m., a fire sprinkler suppression demonstration at 11:30 a.m. and a children’s scavenger hunt at noon for the first 30 children who register.
Baker said those who want to participate in the Dalmatian show or the scavenger hunt will need to register at the command tent near the stage. The Dalmatian show will have awards for largest and smallest Dalmatian, most and fewest spots, best dressed and best trick.
He said the rally will finish with vehicle awards, such as farthest travel, best pumper and best ladder.
During the rally, attendees will have the opportunity to get close-up views of firetrucks and EMS vehicles and to visit different vendor booths and food trucks. A bounce house will be available for children throughout the rally, Baker said.
He said the Herculaneum Farmer Market will also be integrated into the rally.
Baker said the rally is not only an opportunity for attendees to have fun, but also be a good time for anyone interested in a career in fire, EMS, or police to ask and see safety equipment.
He said the city of Herculaneum had planned to hold its first fall festival after the fire engine rally, but announced on Sept. 24 that it had been canceled because of recent rainy weather and forecasts for more over the weekend.
Herky Mo Mo
Herculaneum Mayor Ryan Wright said Herculaneum’s newest resident, “Herky Mo Mo,” will make his debut this weekend.
Mo Mo is a 6-foot-tall concrete Sasquatch that will become a permanent fixture along the Joachim Trail Loop at the park.
Wright said he expected the statue to be installed along the trail on Friday, after the Leader deadline.
He said he saw a picture on social media of another city with a concrete Sasquatch and thought it would be a great addition to the city’s walking trail.
“It looked really fun. I thought it would be cool to put one out there to draw some attention to (the trail) and get people out to want to come see it,” Wright said.
The name, Herky Mo Mo, is a nod to the Missouri Monster (Momo), a bigfoot-like creature that numerous people in Missouri allegedly saw in the early 1970s.
Wright declined to identify exactly where Mo Mo would be located along the Joachim Loop Trail, saying “I encourage people to go walk the trail and find out.”
He said the city plans to decorate Mo Mo in festive clothing for holidays and encourages those who see him to post their photos to social media.
Wright said the city may hold photo contests for the best photos with Mo Mo.
“The main goal is to try to get people to go onto the trail, walk the trail, do some exercise and be mobile. We are trying to encourage people to use our parks,” he said.
Wright said the city bought the statue from the Gringo Jones Imports store in St. Louis for $600, using funds the city’s parks department raised.