Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Long Beach Volunteer Fire Department is celebrating its 100th anniversary this weekend, a three-day event that includes a parade, carnival and an exhibit at the Long Beach Historical and Preservation Society.
The anniversary celebration will take place through August 13-15. The festivities will include a three-day carnival and block party and culminating in a parade on Saturday, August 14.
Mike Ornauer, a captain and chairman of the 100th Anniversary Committee, says the festivities will include 30 fire departments from across the country and thousands of firefighters and officials participating in the parade. An awards ceremony will follow the parade for the department, with judges on hand to vote on the best parade display and march.
“We want to put up a good parade," Ornauer said, adding that the parade and festivities are open to the entire community and is geared toward families.
The festivities will include a three-day carnival and block party and culminating in a parade on Saturday, August 14.
The parade will kick off at 6 p.m. at Virginia Avenue and West Beech Street and will end at a reviewing stand by City Hall. The Grand Marshal will be Ex-Chief Ely Altarac, a 50-year member of the Volunteer Fire Department and the Honorary Grand Marshal will be Ex-Chief Garret J. Rooney. Also serving as Marshal’s are Ex-Chiefs Romano Lovrich, Robert Oliver, Ralph Tuccillo, Richard DiGiacomo, Brian Hocheiser, and Ex-Assistant Chiefs Bruce Aldewereld and Sidney Langstein (both 50-year members of the volunteer fire department).
Firefighters from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 9th Battalions will take part in the parade, which will also feature antique fire trucks. The carnival will offer rides, food booths and the sale of commemorative 100th anniversary T-shirts honoring each of the Department’s in the 2nd Battalion. Souvenir mugs will also be on sale.
The Long Beach Historical Society hosted a special program and open house on August 6 honoring the volunteers and their families. A special collection assembled by the Society included pictures, log books, pieces of firefighting equipment, and turnout gear will be on display through November. Visit the Long Beach website at www.longbeachny.org for further information. — A.R.
