A Hot Time At The Greenlawn Firemen’s Fair
/By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com
Professional boxer and Greenlawn native Chris Algieri visited his old stomping grounds last Thursday, when he was honored as a grand marshal at the 112th annual Greenlawn Firemen’s Fair parade. Above, Algieri waves as he rides up Broadway in a vintage ’39 Plymouth. Photo by Steve Silverman
Dressed in a fireman’s costume, Aden Biggica was hoping to get a ride on a fire truck, while his sister, Kayla, was excited to see the marching bands about to stroll down Broadway for the 112th annual Greenlawn Firemen’s Fair on Sept. 3.
The Biggica family, of Greenlawn, has been going to the parade and fair for the past five years, said mom, Lisa.
The parade, which brought out Huntington Township’s firefighters and many of Long Island’s top bagpipe and brass bands, marched down Broadway to the Greenlawn firehouse. Behind them followed the sirens and flashing lights of fire trucks and ambulances.
“You feel very proud watching the event,” said Faye Adamis, of Greenlawn, who has been coming to the event for the past eight years. “You feel a sense of community and togetherness. I hope they keep doing it.”
The Greenlawn Firemen’s Fair, going on since 1906, is hosted every year on Labor Day weekend is the longest-running fair in New York state, said Greenlawn Fire Chief Kurt Allen. “It’s a way for us to have a good time, reach out to the community and let them have a good time as well.”
This year, Greenlawn native and former WBO light welterweight champion Christopher Algieri was the parade’s grand marshall. After entering the fair on a vintage ’39 Plymouth, Algieri handed out autographs and took pictures with fans.
“I have been coming to this fair all my life,” Algieri said in an Instagram post. “Its an honor to help support local heroes and give back to the community.”
As firemen trailed behind the Greenlawn firehouse, the festivities began and awards were given to those who participated in the parade. The East Northport Fire Department won best overall department, best appearing department and most members in line over 30.
Speaking of the turnout at the parade, Allen could only say, “There’s a lot of people here this year,” Allen said. “You see a wall-to-wall of people, everywhere.”
