Chester VFD's First Annual Picnic Held at RSP

Thursday, June 14, 1928

On this date in Rock Springs Park history, the Chester Volunteer Fire Department held its first annual basket picnic and frolic at the park. The day included guest fire departments from the surrounding area, sporting events, dancing, beauty contests and a special added event "a spectacular fireworks display showing burning buildings with firemen in action.”

Frolic At Rock Springs Park

Beaver Daily Times - June 8, 1928

The volunteer fire department of Chester, W.Va., will hold their first annual basket picnic and frolic at Rock Springs Park, Thursday, June 14. Guest volunteer fire departments are expected from surrounding towns, New Cumberland, Weirton, Clinton, Imperial, Burgettstown, McDonald, Midway, Carnegie, Wellsburg, Midlway, Carnegie, Wellsville, Salinesville, Toronto district, Lisbon and many others.

There will be prizes for the oldest fire equipment, the best fire eguipment, and a prize to the company having the most members present on this day. A popularity and beauty conteset will be held, also a baseball game and sport events.

There will be dancing afternoon and evening in beautiful Virginia Gardens and a special added event will be a spectacular fireworks display showing burning buildings with firemen in action.

Chester’s first self-propelled fire engine replaced an earlier horse-drawn rig, and was built by American LaFrance. By 1916, American LaFrance produced a 6-cylinder, gas-powered pumping apparatus that performed so well it literally spelled the end of the steam engine. American LaFrance continues to produce fire equipment after nearly 200 years of service.