71st Annual Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Convention Set for August 10–16

The 71st Annual Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters Convention is set to take place from Sunday, August 10, through Saturday, August 16, 2025, hosted by the Friendship Fire Company #1 of Englewood, Butler Township. 

This year’s convention is especially meaningful as the fire company celebrates its 100th anniversary of service to the Englewood and Fountain Springs communities.

A weeklong series of public events will honor the service, sacrifice, and dedication of volunteer firefighters across Schuylkill County, culminating in a large-scale parade on Saturday, August 16 at 1:00 PM.

Convention Week Schedule - Public Events

Sunday, August 10 – Memorial Service - 5:00 PM

Saint Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, 45 S. 2nd St, Frackville
A service will be held to honor Schuylkill County firefighters who passed away in the last year, as well as those who died in the line of duty.

Tuesday, August 12 – Family Night - 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Frackville Memorial Park, 423 W. Pine St, Frackville
An evening of family fun co-sponsored by the Frackville Recreation Board, featuring:

• Free community swim
• Emergency vehicle displays
• Live music from the Cressona Band (7:00–8:00 PM)
• In case of rain, the concert will move indoors to the Borough Gym at 42 S. Center St.

Saturday, August 16 – Convention Parade - 1:00 PM Start Time

The parade will feature over 200 fire apparatus, marching bands, and community organizations parading through Butler Township and Frackville Borough.

Parade Route Highlights:

• Starts at West Pine & Hickory Street (near the football field)
• Travels through North 7th, West Spring, Balliet, Arch, and 2nd Streets
• Ends at North 7th and West Frack Street

Traffic & Parking Advisories

• Route 61 (Oak Street) will be detoured from 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM on Saturday.
• Northbound traffic: Detour via West Laurel St → 3rd St → West Oak St
• Southbound traffic: Detour via South 3rd St → West Laurel St → South Balliet & West Spruce St
• Route 924 (Lehigh Avenue) will remain open but may experience delays due to ongoing construction.

No Parking Zones will be enforced along:

• The parade route
• Detour routes
• Line-up areas near the Little League/Softball Complex and Memorial Park
• Residents are advised to plan accordingly and expect limited access and delays through the affected areas.

The Schuylkill County Firefighters Convention is held annually to bring together fire companies, honor fallen heroes, and celebrate the camaraderie of the county’s volunteer first responders. This year’s event carries added significance as the Englewood Fire Company reflects on a century of community service and looks ahead to the future.