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| Photo via BHCFV Floodwater creeps into the firehouse in Beach Haven. |
For the first time in 20 years, the Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Co.’s annual Block Party, normally held alongside Chowderfest weekend, had to be rescheduled due to flooding concerns from a nor’easter. To make up for it, the company is hosting a scaled-back version of the event, Halloween-style, at the firehouse on Friday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 9 p.m.
“(Hurricane) Joaquin did not affect us. It was the nor’easter that hung around for a few days, causing flooding,” said Matt Letts, Beach Haven fire chief. “(The) Block Party is a big fundraiser for us, so it definitely affected us financially,” he added.
Admission to the event is free, and everyone is encouraged to come in costume. Prizes will be awarded for best dressed.
Although the street will not be blocked off and the event is only being held four hours instead of the usual eight hours, a gaming trailer, DJ, crafts and more will be available. Fire company members will also be serving hot dogs, hamburgers, chili, soda and beer.
“(The) Block Party has been a yearly thing since 1995,” said Letts. “We would like to thank all of our sponsors and the community for their continued support.”
A traditional truck housing ceremony that was also postponed on Oct. 3 will be held sometime in the spring. The event will officially welcome the company’s new, custom-built pumper and water rescue trucks, as well as a 5-ton flood and forest fire response truck refurbished in-house after Superstorm Sandy. A re-dedication of the original section of the firehouse, which was constructed 100 years ago, will also take place during the event. No date has been set.
— Kelley Anne Essinger
This article was published in The SandPaper.
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