HILLSDALE, N.J—There’s no Zipper, Tilt-A-Whirl, or dizzying Round Up ride to be seen in this photograph from the Hillsdale Fire Association’s annual carnival held July 1–8, 1916.
Generations of Pascack Valley residents have fond childhood memories of the fire department’s carnival. Now held in the center of town off Hillsdale Avenue, it helps support Hillsdale’s bravest in their efforts to keep the borough safe from fire. You might be surprised to learn just how far back this tradition goes.
The department held its first fair in 1902, with proceeds helping to pay for a hose reel and pump—which the men had to haul by hand to the fire scene—and a small shed to house the equipment. Annual carnival proceeds would also help to build the first firehouse in 1906.
In the early 20th century, as in the photo above, the fair took place on what was then vacant land at Magnolia Avenue and Cross Street. In this picture, Cross Street runs diagonally at the bottom right. The houses in the background are on Magnolia. The vacant land has long since been developed with houses.
The 1916 carnival was billed as “a miniature Coney Island” with the largest merry-go-rounds, various games, and open-air dancing in the afternoon and evening.
The week also included a firemen’s parade on the afternoon of July 4 that drew firefighters from across Bergen County.
“It is expected that there will be 1,000 men in line,” wrote the Westwood Chronicle. “After the parade there will be hose laying contests for auto, hand, and horse-drawn apparatus. There will also be a water battle, pumping exhibition, greased pig chase, and tug of war.”
The Ridgewood and Westwood fire departments took top honors for their athleticism that day. The two battled it out in the tug-of-war, with Ridgewood ultimately taking the prize.
However, Westwood bested them in the hose laying contest. The first trial was a tie between the two departments at 56 seconds, but on the second trial Westwood did it in 51 seconds and Ridgewood in 52. Ridgewood firemen were quick to note that they were still tired from fighting a fire at Hutton’s lumber yard the night before.
