The Rockville VFD Firemen’s Carnival Revisited

Reed Brothers Dodge can be seen across the Pike in the top right corner.

Ninety-three years ago today, the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department held its very first annual carnival. The article above, from the August 20, 1953 edition of the Montgomery County Sentinel, offers a bird’s-eye view of the bustling carnival midway. Based on what I’ve uncovered from newspaper archives, the carnival got its start in 1932 and appears to have ended sometime in the early 1970s.

From The Daily News, Frederick Maryland, August 10, 1932:

At a special meeting of the department August 5 it was unanimously voted that a carnival should be held on the Fairgrounds from September 3 to 10, inclusive. The first event will be a fireman’s parade and hook-up contests with three cups being offered as prizes. Other items of interest will be the baby show, the old-fashioned square dance, and the public wedding. An automobile and fifteen cash prizes are to be given away during the carnival.

The RVFD Carnival typically ran for eight nights during the month of August, becoming the primary fundraising event for the volunteer fire department for several decades. Locals eagerly anticipated the carnival each year, drawn by the promise of rides, raffle prizes, live music, and, of course, the food. It was a place where friends reconnected, families made memories, and many local children even held their first jobs.

The Carnival Parade

The carnival parade always kicked off the celebrations and were held on the first day, with the intent of drawing the spectators to the carnival grounds. There were always a few high school bands in the lineup, and most of the floats were simple, many being your average flatbed farm wagons decorated with yards of colored crepe paper and sponsored by a local business. Following the procession, teams of 10 men each, engaged in a tug-of-war contests in front of the dancing pavilion at the fair ground.

All of the buildings, including flood lights, fencing and metal frames for carnival stands, on the 10-acre site on the Rockville Pike were permanent fixtures all year long and remained unused until the carnival. Photo credit: RVFD Photo Archives, ca. 1960s.

The Music and Performances

Music was a significant draw, with big-name country acts performing nightly at the fairgrounds. Artists such as Conway Twitty & the Twittybirds, Loretta Lynn, Buck Owens, Jimmy Dean, and Patsy Cline graced the stage. Beyond country music, the carnival offered a variety of floor shows, including trapeze artists, hillbilly comedy, Punch and Judy shows, old-fashioned hoedowns, and performances by the Jamboree Boys of television fame. Local talent, such as the Rockville Municipal Band and the Tune Twisters, also contributed to the entertainment.

Not One, Not Two, but Three…

It is exciting to note that for many years, a car was the grand prize given away at the carnival. Three spanking new automobiles were awarded to lucky ticket holders.

Automobiles were given away as Grand Awards. Photo credit: RVFD Photo Archives.

The Games

“Dime to play, dime to win, come on in!” The carnival featured classic games that offered prizes and excitement. Popular options included the Duck Pond, Dunk Tank, Rifle Range, Hoop-la, Balloon Pitch, and Teddy Bear Toss. For those seeking a challenge, there was the “High Striker” strength test and ring toss games like Lamps and Panda Bear Stand. A unique, albeit short-lived, attraction was a “guess-which-hole” mouse game, which was discontinued after a mouse escaped. Bingo was a favorite among older attendees. In 1935, county residents voted in a special referendum to allow the Fire Department and other non-profit groups to hold raffles and bingo games.

Calling Bingo at RVFD Carnival, August 1961. Photo credit: RVFD Photo Archives.

The Rides

The heart of the carnival experience was its rides. Attendees could enjoy the Ferris Wheel, Merry-Go-Round, and various “Kiddy” rides like automobiles, aeroplanes, trains, and boats. More thrilling options included the Scrambler, Octopus, Paratrooper, Tilt-a-Whirl, Loop-O-Plane, and Round Up. One of the most entertaining rides that you can go on at any carnival is called The Octopus. The arms go up and down multiple times during the ride, but it is the spinning action of the ride itself which causes the carts to automatically spin, making this one of the most fun rides ever created.

The Octopus

The Public Weddings

A unique and popular feature of the carnival was the public wedding, a tradition originated by Chief W. Valentine Wilson in 1932. These ceremonies were solemn affairs, with couples speaking their vows over a loudspeaker in view of the merry-go-round, often before thousands of onlookers. The fire department provided a $500 furniture set, wedding license, ring, minister, bridal gown, and attire for the groom and ushers. Remarkably, all 17 couples married at the carnival between 1932 and 1949 remained married, leading Fire Department General Counsel David E. Betts to suggest that the public nature of the ceremony fostered enduring love.

The Evening Star., August 17, 1949

The Food

Did I mention the food? Carnivals are a feast for the senses. The smells of food floods the air with the toasty, oily, salty smell of french fried potatoes mingled with scents of buttered popcorn, spicy pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and other tasty treats. Those french fries in a paper cone with vinegar… didn’t you just love those french fries? There was fried chicken so good it could give Colonel Sanders a run for his money. And just when you thought you couldn’t eat another bite, it was snack time. No carnival night was complete without cotton candy spun into pastel clouds or a sticky caramel apple on a stick. And of course, I can’t leave out the legendary funnel cake… golden, crispy, dusted in powdered sugar. You either loved it or you didn’t. There was no in-between.

RVFD’s Broader History and Impact

The RVFD has long been part of a broader network of volunteer fire departments across Montgomery County. Like many of its counterparts, the department depended heavily on community support and fundraising efforts to sustain its operations. Annual events such as the RVFD Carnival played a major role in raising funds and strengthening ties with the community. These carnivals were not only vital financially, but they also served as social gatherings that brought residents together.

Though the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department Carnival ended in the early 1970s, it lives on in the memories of those who experienced it. More than just a fundraiser, it was a symbol of community spirit and a tribute to the dedicated volunteers who have protected Rockville for over a century.

Sources of Information:
Library of Congress digital collection of Sanborn maps
Chronicling America digitized newspapers
Newspapers.com historical newspapers