East Rockaway hosts Fourth Battalion Parade

Nassau County’s Fourth Battalion Fire District marched through the streets of East Rockaway on Saturday, Sept. 17, as part of their annual fire parade and drill exercise.

The Battalion consists of five local fire departments including East Rockaway, Lynbrook, Rockville Centre, Malverne, and Lakeview. This year, additional fire companies from Hewlett, Oceanside, Uniondale, Albertson, and Long Beach, also joined in the festivities.

The parade began at the corner of Denton and Phipps avenues and proceeded southbound towards Main Street. Led by a color guard of members from the American Legion and VFW Post, it then continued west on Atlantic Avenue, north on Woods Avenue, and concluded at Memorial Park.

Following the procession, there was a block party held at the park, featuring live music by A Witch’s Brew. There were also food trucks on site to feed the many hungry parade-goers and bounce house for kids.

All five of the departments that make up the Fourth Battalion additionally squared off in the Old Fashioned Drill competition, which took place in Baldwin on Friday, Sept. 16.

Following the parade, the winning teams were presented with trophies during an awards ceremony at the park.

This year, the Lynbrook Fire Department’s Tumblers team took home the gold, finishing first place in the competition. Trophies were also given out for the Best Appearing Department and Best Appearing Junior Fire Department, both of which were presented to the hosting East Rockaway Fire Department.