SHARONVILLE — When dozens of firetrucks and ambulances from across the region scream through Sharonville with lights flashing and sirens blowing this evening, some might think there's a big emergency.

        But it'll just be the kickoff to the Sharonville Fireman's Club annual festival. The opening parade will feature all types of fire vehicles, including engines, hazardous-materials trucks, ladder trucks and rescue squads. In past years, fire departments from Hamilton, Warren, Clermont and Butler counties, and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport have been represented.

IF YOU GO

What: Sharonville Fireman's Club festival    When: 7 p.m.-midnight today, 5 p.m.-midnight Saturday, 5-10 p.m. Sunday    Where: Gower Park, at Thornview Drive and Creek Road.

        The festival, which dates to the 1950s, runs through Sunday at Gower Park off Creek Road. It will feature games, food, rides and a kids tent.

        “Every year we get great community support,” Sharonville Assistant Fire Chief John Mackey said. “The proceeds go back to the fire department.”

        Profits from this year's event will be used to purchase additional thermal imaging cameras. The hi-tech cameras allow firefighters to see clearly through smoke, and spot fires behind walls or furniture.

        Past festival proceeds purchased and equipped the department's 1990 heavy rescue truck. Total cost with equipment: around $300,000.

        “That is the second truck that the club has purchased for the city,” the assistant chief said. “They purchased the original rescue truck in 1968. This one replaced it.”

        The club also funds public education programs and provides scholarships. It is made up of fire department personnel.

        “Every item and every thing the club buys is something that doesn't have to go in to the operating budget of the fire department,” Fire Chief Dale Duermit said. “Most recently the club has been putting a lot of money into the education programs for the kids.”

        In addition to the indirect public safety benefits, the festival is a social event for the community.

        “They look forward to this every year,” Assistant Chief Mackey said. “It's a benchmark in the summer for the city of Sharonville. It lets the firefighters get out and meet the public, and lets them meet us.”

        And it's easy to tell when the festival begins. Just listen for the sirens in the opening parade.

        “The parade has always been part of the festival,” Assistant Chief Mackey said. “The parade tends to be the place where departments want to bring their trucks and show them off. They can go out there and brag a little bit.”"The parade tends to be the place where departments want to bring their trucks and show them off. They can go out there and brag a little bit.'

Cincinnati hospitals in crisis, area leaders told
Hundreds may have inhaled mold
In search of the perfect CPS chief
Pete AND a bobblehead? Watta deal
Previous Twitty accident not in file
Blackwell to be interim city schools chief
Hearings on traffic corridor conclude
Hoping for release, Condon must wait
Local abuse-review panel lagging
Norwood hosts POW/MIA Run
Obituary: Edwin Ingersoll was WWII vet, MU professor
Residents await word on future of their apartments
Tristate A.M. Report
West Nile likely to strike people next
HOWARD: Some Good News
SMITH AMOS: Safety lessons
Butler Co. soliciting advice on Internet
FBI investigating Clermont Co. coroner
Fireman's Club festival has its own way of attracting a crowd
Meeting urged to move Butler malls forward
Park Service insists on road info
Taft signs scooter bill, Segway-ing into future
Catholics outline qualities for next bishop of Lexington
Ky. State Police recruit veterans
New federal prison could be most expensive to date
Waldrop to head tracks' lobbying