Volunteer Firemen, Shrimp Feeds, And Local Fun

We in Gettysburg Pennsylvania and the surrounding area love our shrimp feeds almost as much as we love our volunteer fire departments. That’s why we usually share the two in the same evening.

Tonight my wife and I went to the Hampton Fire Company’s shrimp feed. They do it twice a year and we never miss. It’s a great way for the fire department to raise funds for its firefighting activities and local people get a good meal. Where I come from we didn’t do this kind of thing.

In Texas the volunteer fire departments are few and far between. We didn’t have such animals in the big cities where I’m from – Dallas. Even in rural parts of Texas most communities have tax-based fire departments, not volunteer companies. That’s too bad. Volunteer fire departments are an American tradition, and certainly a tradition that Pennsylvanians have not abandoned. That’s one of the reasons I love Pennsylvania.

While in Hampton I managed to pick up a calendar of events for 2009. If you’re in Adams County on any of these dates in 2009, look up the Hampton Fire Company and join us for good food, entertainment, and local volunteer fun:

• January 17 / 6 p.m. / Fun night
• February 14 / 6 p.m. / 10 week feed
• February 21 / 6 p.m. / Crab leg feed
• March 7 / 6 p.m. / Shrimp feed
• March 21 / 6 p.m. / Fun night
• March 29 / 12 noon / Gun raffle
• April 19 / 12 noon / 50-50
• May 2 / 6 p.m. / 10 week feed
• May 16 / 6 p.m. / Fun night
• June 7 / 11:30 a.m. / Basket bingo
• June 14 / 1 p.m. / Cash raffle
• August 1 / 6 p.m. / Crab leg feed
• September 12 / 6 p.m. / Fun night
• September 19 / 6 p.m. / 10 week feed
• September 26 / 9 a.m. / Fall fest
• October 4 / 12 noon / Gun raffle
• October 10 / 6 p.m. / Crab leg feed
• October 18 / 12 noon / 50-50
• November 7 / 6 p.m. / Shrimp feed
• November 21 / 6 p.m. / Fun night
• November 29 / 11:30 p.m. / Basket bingo
• December 5 / 6 p.m. / 10 week feed

Doors usually open one hour before the event starts and you can buy tickets at the door.

Meet The Annual Hampton Car And Craft Show

If you don’t have better plans, today and today only, Hampton Fire Company is hosting its annual car and craft show. This is the best car and craft show anywhere near Gettysburg, hands down. Local crafters showcase their handicrafts and they are very reasonably priced and if you like classic or antique cars then the car show is an absolute must. You’ll see hundreds of souped up and restored classics and they are real beauties. It’s worth dropping by for.

To get there from Gettysburg, take Hwy 15 north toward Harrisburg and take Hwy 234 east. When you get to Hwy 94, make a right. You’ll see the Hampton Fire Company sign about a quarter mile up on the left. Go one block and you’ll see the cars. It’s a one day excursion and only about 20 minutes from the heart of Gettysburg. Both shows run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Happy Belated Fourth Of July

Yesterday, Gettysburg Pennsylvania Blog took a day off to enjoy the Independence Day celebrations. There is an interesting tradition here in South Central Pennsylvania. Every community staggers its fireworks shows so that people in the area can attend them all if they wish. Gettysburg, of course, held their fireman’s carnival and fireworks show very early on, June 27. Then, the other communities each held their own fireworks show in commemoration of our nation’s independence throughout the holiday, each community holding the festivities on a different night. I hope you were able to make one.

Coming up soon is the annual Bike Week. Every year, thousands of bikers flock to Gettysburg to enjoy a wild ride. I hear it’s coming up this next weekend. Have your hotel booked? If not, you might miss your chance and have to plan your vacation another weekend.

Gettysburg Fireman’s Fireworks Show – Don’t Miss It!

Like fireworks? Bring the kids on down on June 27 at 11 p.m. to the Gettysburg Fireman’s Carnival. Locals and guests are welcome. This is the annual fireman’s event with a fireworks show that is out of this world! The location is Gettysburg Recreation Park.

Gettysburg Recreation Park is a 52-acre park with seven baseball diamonds, a football field, an amphitheater, tennis courts, basketball courts, two playgrounds, three pavilions, and a 20-station fitness trail. The park is open year-round and gets much use, but the best event of the year open to the public is the Gettysburg Fireman’s Carnival and Fireworks Show. The carnival starts on June 24 and runs through June 29. Each night, activities begin at 6 p.m. but you will definitely want to be around on June 27 for the fireworks show. For more information call 717-334-7548.