Before there was the Columbus Day Fair and the Hardscrabble Fair. Farmingdale held an annual Firemen’s Carnival. It was held over a 10 day period in 1922. There were booths, games of chance, and fortune wheels. For the children, the carnival offered a Ferris Wheel, merry-go-round, and a shooting gallery. Nightly dances were hosted. One lucky ticket holder won a prize daily which were donated by local stores.
A contest was held for the King and Queen of the Carnival, which was decided by popular vote. It cost one cent to cast a vote and envelopes for people to cast their votes were placed at all local stores. The King & Queen were chosen on the closing evening which included a parade and fireworks. The King would then choose where his “headquarters” would be & the royals spent the night singing & dancing. Prizes were given out at the parade including best decorated car and best float.
There was a “Bluebird” booth that gave away a 100-piece dinner set that also sold handmade items, novelties, and homemade cakes. The firemen canvassed each house for donations or the many different booths. There were booths of many types, including one that sold canaries. The carnival even raffled off a cow!
Sources:
"Decks Cleared for Fire Carnival.” Farmingdale Post. August 4, 1922
“Firemen’s Carnival to Be Biggest Ever.” Farmingdale Post. August 18, 1922
“King-Queen Fete One of Acclaim”. Farmingdale Post. September 14, 1923
