With the state fair ending on Saturday, it is fun to remember other events in the area that entertained Milfordians in the past. One of the most anticipated events in Milford every fall was the annual Fireman’s Carnival, hosted by the Carlisle Fire Company. These types of events were held throughout the Delmarva Peninsula, with some continuing today.
Charles E. Varney, who joined the fire company in 1914 was chiefly responsible for the creation of the carnival. He and C. Donnan Holzmueller took on the role of chairmen each year. In 1924, these two men were instrumental in raising the funds necessary to build the Milford Community Building, now known as the Old Firehall.
The Fireman’s Carnival in Milford heralded the coming of fall, opening in September in the baseball park for most of the years it took place. There were some changes to the location, including Memorial Plaza, in front of what is now Jesus Love Temple Church and in what is now Bicentennial Park. On one occasion, it was held on the corner of Causey Avenue and Church Street where a gas station now stands.
The main attraction of the carnival were games of chance, including darts, dice games and others. Prizes ranged from brightly dressed dolls to blankets, fancy canes and even live chickens. Bingo was extremely popular, as it still is at many carnivals. The Bingo booth was placed in the center of the grounds and included a second story where the Milford High School Boys Band played. Bingo prizes were highly sought after with chances to win clocks, dishes and other items. In order to keep people at the carnival grounds until closing, nightly prizes were awarded and, on the last night, the grand prize was an automobile.
A Merry-Go-Round and other rides were also available for children and young people. The King’s Daughters, a group of women dedicated to helping the needy, had a booth where they often served dinner along with baked goods. Hot dogs were a favorite choice at the carnival as well.
A feature act at the carnival was the high-dive act which usually took place in the evening. A diver would climb to the top of a high ladder and dive into a large round tank of water. The grand finale, which was held on closing night, had an added feature where the diver set himself on fire before diving.
During the carnival, which ran from Saturday night to the following Saturday, excluding Sunday, two parades were held with one only including fire companies, fire trucks and ladies auxiliaries. The other included floats prepared by organizations and school classes. Again, music was provided by the Milford High School Boys Band with each parade ending at the carnival grounds which were usually packed with people.
Members of the fire company manned the carnival every night, operating rides, selling tickets, operating the games and more. Other Milfordians who contributed significantly to the success of the carnival include Harry Lindale, who was the “hot dog man;” A.D. Dickerson who sold tickets for the Merry-Go-Round; John LeCompte who worked the Bingo booth, calling out numbers in a booming voice along with John Jester and James Pettyjohn who were consistent volunteers.
