The Manhasset-Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department celebrated its centennial on Saturday, with village residents lining Plandome Ave. to see a parade in honor of the department’s 100 years of service.
Clusters of observers, many of them families with children in tow, stood along the parade route that stretched from Memorial Place to Stonytown Road. A procession of firefighters and policemen in dress regalia, banner-holders, marching bands and bag pipers made its way through town as Manhasset-Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department assistant treasurer Brian Levings, flanked by other department officials, announced each group from a street-side stage.
State Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel delivered brief remarks during the event.
“This is one of the finest fire departments in the state,” she said. “We love you – another 100 years!”
The Manhasset-Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department was honored by groups and departments from across the peninsula. The parade was led by the Nassau County Police Department Highway Patrol, and followed by American Legion representatives from Great Neck and Manhasset. Fire departments from a number of nearby towns and villages, including Port Washington, Great Neck, Garden City, New Hyde Park, Williston Park and Rosyn, also sent marched the parade.
Little Neck resident Marilyn Pitzer had a personal stake in the celebration: her son, James, is the chief of the Manhasset-Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department.
“It’s nice to see all the different departments from all the different towns together,” she said. “One thing about the fire department and the police department is that they’re a great brotherhood. They stick together.”
Robert and Lavina Mitchell of Manhasset also had family ties to the event.
“Our grandson is a fireman here,” said Robert. “We always celebrate… we come to all the affairs [in Manhasset].”
The parade also included a variety of musical groups. Most played marches and featured drumlines and brass sections, but a few groups lent the afternoon some Gaelic flavor. The Nassau County Police Emerald Society and Inis Fada Gaelic, kilts and all, brought out the bagpipes and played traditional Irish songs.
Historical firetrucks, buffed to a high red gloss, also made their way down Plandome. Levings announced the year and model of each vehicle, the oldest being a pre-Great Depression pumper from East Williston.
Former Port Washington fire Chief Tom McDonough thought the celebration was a great success.
“It’s all about [the Manhasset-Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department] celebrating 100 years of volunteer service to the community,” he said. “We’re all neighbors, we all help each other and we’re all here to have a good time.”
That goal was reached by one smaller member of the audience; a young boy in a red shirt seemed visibly starstruck on shaking hands with one of the uniformed firemen.
The parade drew praise from older members of the community as well.
“I just think it’s really good,” said Chris Melvin, a 59-year resident of Manhasset. “It’s very patriotic, and I think we and the community should support [the fire department.]”
A public block party followed the parade, which offered food, drink and musical entertainment.
The Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department covers 10 square miles and has a residential population of over 44,000. Included in the department’s service area are all or part of Great Neck, New Hyde Park, Manhasset and Port Washington.
