NORTHPORT
Finding Fun At The Fireman’s Fair
Annual carnival amasses crowds, funds for charity with rides, carnival games and food
By Mike Koehler/mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Spend some quality fun time with the family, and raise money for a good cause, too.

That’s the message Northport Second Assistant Chief Chris Hughes is spreading about the annual Fireman’s Fair.

“It’s a pleasant place to be with your family,” Hughes said. “We use the funds to support our community; lots of good causes we contribute to.”
The fire department, he added, asks for donations often throughout the year. They benefit charities, scholarships and other “feel good stuff.”

Created in the 1930s along Northport Harbor, the fair will be open at the Pit between 7 and 11 p.m. next Monday until that Saturday.

Blue Sky Amusements provides a variety of rides and carnival games, at least some of which are new every year. Riders are expected to purchase a $9 pay-one-price bracelet, while games are pay-per-play.

Traditional carnival faire, like hot dogs, chicken fingers, zeppole and soft drinks, are also available for purchase.

“We think it’s a very fair price. There are several fairs in the area that we don’t necessarily compete with. We always end up with a great turnout,” Hughes said.

Living up to its name, 120 Northport firefighters have or are expected to volunteer for the fair. Firefighters typically man the games, while Blue Sky staff operates only the rides.

The volunteers also handle all of the food sales and cooking, based out of a four-building Fire Department-owned facility in the Pit. Consisting of a kitchen, a storage unit and two fair booths, Hughes said the Fireman’s Fair has almost become its sole purpose.

“It’s called our training and fairgrounds. We use the facility for training year-round, but the kitchen is really only used for the Fireman’s Fair and a car show we have down there,” he said.

Hughes didn’t want to set any financial goals, but said he expected hundreds of people to attend each night.