Manchester Hosting State Fire Convention Next Week

Fire departments from across the state will be coming to Manchester next week for the State Fire Convention.

It will be the fifth time Manchester has hosted the state event – and the first time since 2019. Longtime Manchester firefighter Ed Tibbott is co-chairing this year’s convention with fellow Manchester firefighter Adam Nylund – and he says they’re preparing for around 1,300 visitors. 

Tibbott says some of them will start rolling in this weekend.

The State Fire Convention will be based at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, which will transform into its own little “town” next week as the fire departments settle in.

The State Fire Convention activities kick off next Wednesday, with waterball competitions on the north end of Grand Avenue. Firefighters will also be participating in golf and bowling tournaments.

By Friday, waterball and the other competitions move downtown.

They’ll wrap up the week with the State Fire Convention parade next Saturday at 2 pm before everyone heads home on Sunday.

Tibbott says hosting the State Fire Convention brings a big financial boost – to the Manchester Fire Department and the community too. 

Again, the State Fire Convention runs September 8th through the 13th in Manchester. We’ll hear more from Tibbott on this year’s event – including what those water competitions all entail – coming up next Tuesday on KMCH.

audio courtesy of Janelle Tucker/KMCH; image courtesy of Manchester Fire Department