Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-25
FIVE STATES Join
F|REMEN'S PARADE
Virginians and Guests Form
Dazzling Spectacle in
Alexandria.
BY STAFF Correspondent OF The Star.


ALEXANDRIA. Va, August 25.-
Fire fighters of Virginia passed in an,
nual review here this afternoon to
the tune of blaring bands. changing
bells and shrieking sirens. 1t was the
largest parade in the history of the
Virginia State F'iremen's Association
and the browning event Of the con-
Vention, which will close formally to-
morrow when crack reel teams, rep
resentins more than a score of COM
panies, will compete in races which
are expected to break records.
More than so companies were rep
resented this afternoon in colorful
pageant which wended its wdy
through streets decorated with flags
and bunting. Visiting firemen from
points in Massachusetts. Pennsyl-
Vania, New Jersey and Maryland ap-
peared in the line of march, while an
entire section was cccwried by 800
firemen from the District OF Columbia
headed by their apiece band.
Gala Array OF Colors.
More than a score of bands PLAYED
lively airs from the time the paiade
started until it ended with final fan
fare of trumpets. The band of Hose
2ttired in bright red uniforms, headed
by 6-foot-6 drum major and fanked
by a 3-foot colored mascot, We'd in
colorfulness with the band from
Charlottesville, Va, which wore hori-
zon-blue uniforms.
twenty-five little boys, all under IL
years of age, clad in regulation fire.
fighting uniforms and carrying a lad
der of roses, won an ovation from the
crowd which lined the route of the
parade. The boys are members of the
Water Witch Juniors and were fol-
lowed by a delegation from the An
napolis Fire Department.
The historic apparatus donated to
the Friendship Fire Company of Alex
andria by George Washington was
trundled along in a place Of honor
close to modern equipment. More
than $500 f1remen marched in regular
ranks, while members of the various
ladies' auXiliaries to the different de-
partments occupied one of the six
sections of the parade.
Parade Brings Memories.
Memories of days gone by were re-
called by many of the bands which
have existed in certain Virginia com.
munities for many years and which
played again this afternoon. tunes
which echoed through the Virginia
hills long before the whistle of the
railroad trains was heard in the land.
The reviewing stand was occupied
by officials of the City of AleXa ndria,
the District of Columbia and the Vir-
ginia State Firemen's Association.
special board of judges will convene
late this afternoon and determine the
winners of several cash prizes ranging
from S100 to $3.50 offered to the best
appearing companies and the organ
iZations having the most men in line.
Headed by DR.. Lewellyn Powell,
grand marshal. and his staff, all of
them mounted, the parade moved
without a hitch. One section was de-
voted to the local post of the Amer
lean Legion and companies of the
Alexandria Light Infantry.
The volunteer ire department of
Silver Spring. Nd, was on hand with
its modern apparatus and the Laurel
. company was also in the line of
march Bir5.Scro, Pa, had 40-piece
band in line and an equal number OF
firemen. The Rouss Fire Company OF
Winchester, Va, which occupied
prominent place in the apple blossom
festival last Spring, marched with
their band.
Last night the annual band con-
test was played. The first prize was
won by the band of the Tall Cedars
of Salem, n. J., while the band or
the No. Hose Company OF HARRISON
burg. Va, took second place and 500
in money. The Harrisonburg Band
left this afternoon for home, but their
reel racing team remained for the
race tomorrow.