Southmont Volunteer Fire Company gearing up for 51st jubilee

Kelly Urban, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·2 min read

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – This festival will bring about family fun with carnival rides, festival food and games.

The 51st annual Southmont Volunteer Fire Company Jubilee will be held Tuesday though June 1 at the Southmont ballfield, along State Street, Johnstown.

“It’s a great atmosphere and the community keeps coming back every year,” said Jim Carbaugh, president of the fire company. “This is right in your backyard, and what better way to support your local fire company.”

He said support for the jubilee continues to be strong each year.

“It’s also a way for the fire company to give back the community,” Carbaugh said.

Rides, games and refreshments will be provided by LAM Enterprises, of Greenock, Allegheny County.

The rides will be available from 6 p.m. to close each day.

A one-price ticket or individual tickets can be purchased.

The Firemen’s Kitchen will serve cheeseburgers, hot dogs, hot sausage, chicken fingers, cheese sticks, french fries, pizza, funnel cake, funnel cake fries and deep-fried Oreos. The kitchen will be open from 5 p.m. to close daily during the jubilee.

“The kitchen attracts a lot of people, and we have people who come and get something and take it home,” Carbaugh said.

“We’ll also have the capability to pay with a debit card at the jubilee kitchen. We started that last year and it was a big hit.”

DJ Jim Hammer will provide musical entertainment throughout the event.

There will be nightly drawings for cash prizes.

A highlight of the jubilee is the firemen’s parade that will be held at 7 p.m. May 30, featuring emergency vehicles from around the area. It will be held rain or shine.

“It’s a big draw, and parents bring their kids because they like to see the fire trucks,” Carbaugh said.

He said the jubilee is the fire company’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

“All the money we raise is used to purchase equipment, to put fuel in the trucks and to pay for insurance,” Carbaugh said.

“We rely on the people in the community to support the fire department, so that way the borough and borough residents of Southmont and the other communities don’t have to fork out as much money.”

He said he hopes festivalgoers will have a fun time while supporting the fire company.

“We want to have a good relationship between the firemen and the community,” Carbaugh said. “It’s a chance to talk to neighbors you’ve never meet before.”

There is no admission fee.

For more information, visit Southmont Volunteer Fire Company’s Facebook page.

If You Go What: 51st annual Southmont Volunteer Fire Company Jubilee. Where: Southmont ballfield, along State Street, Johnstown. When: May 28 through June 1. Admission: Free. Information: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081440263872.