For Immediate Release

Monday, Sept. 19, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-533-9398
Email: john@jgpr.net

Stoneham Centennial Fire Station Celebration Committee Ramps Up as Date Draws Closer

STONEHAM — The Stoneham Fire Station Centennial Celebration Committee is ramping up its efforts and putting the final touches on next month’s series of events for the 100th anniversary of the fire station.

This year, the Stoneham Fire Station, located at 25 Central St., turns 100 years old! As part of the celebration, on Oct. 1, there will be antique engines and cars on display, tours of the fire station, a parade, children’s activities and more.

“We’re so excited for this event, as many months of planning have gone into making this a huge success,” Committee Co-Chair Tara Lawler said. “There will be something for everyone and we encourage the public to come out and join us in celebrating the fire station’s hundredth anniversary.”

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at South School, 11 Summer St., and continues for about half a mile down Main Street before ending at the fire department headquarters on Central Street.

Antique fire engines – 1849 hand pumper from Goffstown, N.H. and 1931 Seagrave Open Cab from Tennessee — along with Stoneham Fire and Police vehicles, military cars, a pipe and drum marching band, the Beantown Trolley, Action Ambulance, American Legion Color Guard, Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club and floats celebrating Stoneham Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary will ride in the parade. Shirley Murray, a lifetime Girl Scout member, retired Fire Chief Ray Sorenson and retired Fire Lt. Bob Marshall will serve as Grand Marshalls.

Food vendors and a children’s activity area will be on the Town Common and five new firefighters will be sworn in after the parade. Additionally, a commemorative ceremony at noon will include the reading of the names of deceased firefighters, which will be held at the Stoneham Firefighter Memorial Park.

While celebrating, use #stoneham100 when posting or tweeting about the event!

Additionally, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation will be bringing the 9/11 NEVER FORGET MOBILE EXHIBIT to Stoneham Town Hall. The exhibit is free to visit from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On Friday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. at the Showcase Cinemas in Woburn, Stoneham Fire and Police, along with a Massachusetts State Police cruiser and motorcycle unit will meet the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s vehicle carrying the exhibit and the Seagrave Open Cab to escort them along Route 128/95 to Route 28/Main Street and eventually land at the Fire Station.

Committee members would also like to remind out of town attendees that Stoneham is accessible by public transportation, via the MBTA Orange Line at Oak Grove and the Route 132 bus to Stoneham. Individuals who want to access public transportation should visit the MBTA website for schedules.

The Stoneham Fire Station Centennial Celebration Committee would like to thank the individuals and businesses that have sponsored the event and made donations to support the activities planned for the day. These include:  

• General Alarm Sponsor ($2,500): StonehamBank
• Four Alarm Sponsors ($1,250): Action Ambulance, Dr. Mickey & Associates and Stoneham Ford
• Three Alarm Sponsor ($1,000): Arnold House Nursing Home
• Two Alarm Sponsors ($500): Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home, Century 21 C & S Properties, Cassidy Landscaping & Masonry, Pignone’s Café, Salem Five Bank, The Arbors at Stoneham and Weiss Farm, Inc.

A special thanks to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center for its major contribution to the event, which will assist in bringing the 9/11 NEVER FORGET MOBILE EXHIBIT to Stoneham. 

Those who have questions about the event or who would like to be a sponsor should email stoneham100celebration@yahoo.com.

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