Volume II: Filmography

PARADE OF THE VOLUNTEER FIREMEN

OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY

AND VICINITY

October 27, 1910 (Thursday)

Character: Documentary

Cast: Firemen from Westchester County and surrounding areas

BACKGROUND OF THE SCENARIO: This film was not a regular release but was a documentary taken at the parade of the volunteer firemen of Westchester County and vicinity, held in New Rochelle on October 6, 1910. The film was screened at Germania Hall in New Rochelle, on October 27 and 28, 1910. In the evenings an admission charge of 25c was levied. Germania Hall, owned by Jacob Grab, located at 16-18 Mechanic Street, was a popular place for social gatherings, and numerous Thanhouser events were held there, including the employees' First Annual Entertainment and Dance staged over a year later, on April 15, 1912.

The New Rochelle Pioneer, October 8, 1910, printed a detailed article on the firemen's parade the preceding Thursday and related that visitors came from all over the state and from Connecticut to see the apparatus and firemen in the event. Further: "The city was literally a mass of color, nothing lacked but clear weather and an influx of visitors to make Thursday's big event one of the most successful ever held in Westchester County." An accompanying carnival was held. The parade consisted of horses, fire equipment, firemen, etc. After the parade, those taking part were served a dinner on Glen Island. Fire departments from many neighboring towns all participated.

The New Rochelle Pioneer, October 22, 1910, told more: "The Relief Engine Company has arranged with the Thanhouser Company to give an exhibition of moving pictures of this city's big fire parade on October 6th at Germania Hall on the afternoon and evenings of October 27 and 28. There will also be pictures shown of notable fires. Admission in the evenings will be twenty-five cents." The New Rochelle Pioneer, November 26, 1910 related that the cost of holding the parade of the volunteer firemen of Westchester County amounted to $6,438.16.

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